ASPO Abstracts
A Comparison of Population Characteristics by Assessment Approach (Paper vs. Web-Based Survey Methods) of the Together for Health = Virginia Study
Category: Cancer Health Disparities
Conference Year: 2020
Abstract Body:
Purpose: To compare population characteristics by paper and web-based approaches
within the on-going Together for Health = Virginia Study, a National Cancer Institute P30 Supplement to
characterize the catchment area of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Massey Cancer Center.
Methods: Participants are recruited through a mail-based survey, with the option to
complete the survey online via REDCap, and through a web-based and mobile application (app) platform
used to form an eCohort. The mail-based survey was a probability-based sample of 6,000 community-
dwelling adults, conducted within the VCU Massey Cancer Center catchment area, using a modified
Dillman method. Mail-based surveys began in October 2019. Enrollment in the eCohort is expected to begin in
January 2020. Survey information on sociodemographic characteristics, social determinants, health
behaviors, healthcare use, health information utilization, health history, and cancer screening are collected.
Response rates and demographic frequencies and percentages are provided by assessment approach.
Results: Data collection is ongoing. Of the 559 participants who have responded, 327 (58.5%) elected to complete the survey by mail and 232 (41.5%) elected to complete the survey online using REDCap. The
average age of participants using REDCap is younger (mean=49.3; SD=15.2 years) than paper-based
surveys (mean=59.9; SD=14.8 years, t(422.4)=7.7, p<0.01). A higher percentage of REDCap vs. paper-
based survey participants are White (78.1% vs. 68.9%, χ2(2)=9.4, p<0.01), have a bachelors' degree or
higher (62.7% vs. 53.8%, t(493.9) = 2.4, p=0.02), and have an annual household income of $50,000 or
higher (77.2% vs. 65.8%), χ2(1)= 6.7, p=0.01). No differences were found for marital status (χ2(1) = 1.4,
p=0.24), self-identification as rural (χ2(1)=2.9, p=0.09), or being born in the US (χ2(1) =0.3, p=0.59).
Conclusions: In addition to characterizing the population within the catchment area of VCU Massey
Cancer Center, results of this study will aid in the development of future epidemiological research studies
by providing practical guidance for public health and survey researchers regarding paper- based and web-
based assessment approaches.
Keywords: health behaviors, cancer, population health