[The degree of participation in a family planning survey performed by personal interview]

To analyse participation levels in a family planning survey.

Descriptive and sectorial survey by means of personal interviews. SITE. Primary Care. Rural Context. Basic Health Area of Sanlúcar la Mayor (Sevilla).

271 women of child-bearing age (15 to 49) chosen at random from the Municipal Census, who were invited by letter to the place of work of those doing the survey.

Those who did not attend were invited on two further occasions.

The level of reply was 24.8% of those invited by the first letter, 25.12% by the second and 28.9% by the third. 40% of the total number did not attend on any of the three occasions: in 29.9% of cases because of work or study; in 22.9% because they hadn't received the letter; in 18.1% because of another commitment; in 26.5% due to lack of interest; 6% due to absence; and 3.6% owing to other reasons. 72.3% had no School Graduation Certificate. Only 10.3% were working. Differences of age, level of studies achieved and work activity between those attending and those not attending were considered significant but of no overall relevance.

A survey based on personal interviews is a useful and valid way of collecting information in a rural community. Poor participation is thought to be due to both the low social and cultural levels and to the survey's subjects-matter. We consider that sending follow-up letters of invitation is a sound method of reducing as much as possible the number of home interviews which would otherwise have to be administered to those who did not attend.