Faculty Collaboration Database

Drug test feasibility in a general population household survey. Drug Alcohol Depend 2004 Mar 08;73(3):237-50

Date

03/24/2004

Pubmed ID

15036546

DOI

10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2003.09.004

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-1242314702 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   18 Citations

Abstract

Drug testing was used as an adjunct to a general population household drug use survey administered via audio computer assisted self-interview. Participants, ages 18-40 years residing in Chicago, were recruited to participate in three different biological tests (hair, oral fluid, and urine) presented in random order subsequent to completing an interview. Subjects had the option of participating in zero to three different tests. We examined participation/refusal in tests, reaction to testing requests, as well as variables associated with participation and reaction. Subjects were randomly assigned to a low (US$ 10 per test) or high (US$ 20 per test) incentive condition. Over 90% of the sample participated in at least one test, usually the oral fluid test. Associations between refusal status and two variables, socioeconomic status (SES) and presence of children in the household, provided partial support for the notion that drug test participation parallels the survey response process in general. Incentive level did not directly increase drug test participation. Reporting of recent illicit drug use was associated with participation in only one procedure, hair testing. Type of test offered and individual differences in willingness to be drug tested were important predictors of drug test refusal and subject reaction to testing requests. Compared with urine and hair testing, oral fluid testing had lower refusal rates and was generally more acceptable to respondents in a general population survey. The findings support the feasibility of incorporating multiple drug tests with modest incentives into general population household surveys on drug abuse.

Author List

Fendrich M, Johnson TP, Wislar JS, Hubbell A

Author

Michael Fendrich PhD Professor in the Emergency Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Adult
Chicago
Feasibility Studies
Female
Health Care Surveys
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Motivation
Patient Acceptance of Health Care
Refusal to Participate
Self Disclosure
Sex Factors
Socioeconomic Factors
Substance Abuse Detection
Substance-Related Disorders