Application and evaluation of a mailed questionnaire for an epidemiologic study of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection in horses.
Abstract: The objective of this study is to describe the design, application and validity of a self-administered (mailed) questionnaire to collect data on potential risk factors for Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection in California horses. Horses admitted to the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) between 1 July 1992 and 30 June 1994 served as the study base for case identification and simple random sampling of 800 control horses. A questionnaire was mailed to owners of the study horses, followed by a reminder postcard and a second copy of a questionnaire. Data were collected on owner and horse identity and demographics, horse management and use, geographic location, and general health-related issues. Return pattern over time as well as differential return proportions were described. The overall return proportion was 66% (587/890), and the completion proportion 55% (491/890). The number of returns over time followed a negative binomial distribution, with over 90% of all returns being in by the end of the fifth week after mailing, and over 99% at the end of the tenth week. Some categories within the variables age (between 2 and 3 years), breed (Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses) and gender (stallions) had significantly lower return proportions than expected (differential return; p < 0.05). The profile of these horses fits a section of the racehorse population that is served by the VMTH. Age, breed and disease status information was available from the VMTH medical records and from the questionnaire, and was used to determine the validity of the survey data. There was good agreement between the data from the two sources, and we therefore concluded that the quality of the survey information was sufficient to perform a risk-factor analysis. The mailed survey provided a rapid and cost-effective method of collecting additional information to supplement existing medical records.
Publication Date: 1998-08-05 PubMed ID: 9689657DOI: 10.1016/s0167-5877(98)00070-1Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research study discusses the development and assessment of a self-administered questionnaire sent through mail for a study on Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection in horses. The method proved useful as it allowed for efficient collection of data related to potential risk factors of the infection from horse owners in California.
Methodology of the Study
- The study involved horses that had been admitted to the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital between July 1992 and June 1994.
- A random sample of 800 control horses was selected, and a questionnaire was mailed to the owners of these horses, in addition to owners of horses identified with the infection.
- A reminder postcard and a second copy of the questionnaire were sent to ensure a substantial response rate.
- The questionnaire covered a variety of areas including owner and horse details, horse management and use, geographic location, and general health-related issues.
Result Analysis and Findings
- The overall return proportion of responses was 66% (587 out of 890) and the completion proportion was 55% (491 out of 890).
- The majority of the questionnaires were returned by the fifth week after mailing and over 99% by the end of the tenth week.
- There were lower return rates from the owners of horses falling under certain age (between 2 and 3 years), breed (Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses) and gender (Stallions) categories than expected. This population section was identified to be served by VMTH.
Validation of Survey Data
- Information on age, breed, and disease status were available from both the medical records at VMTH and the questionnaire.
- The researchers compared the data from these two sources and found a high level of agreement, affirming the validity of the survey.
Summary and Conclusion
- The authors concluded that the mailed questionnaire was a successful, efficient, and economical means of gathering data to supplement existing medical records.
- The method enabled the collection of potential risk factors for Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection among the horse population in California.
Cite This Article
APA
Doherr MG, Carpenter TE, Wilson WD, Gardner IA.
(1998).
Application and evaluation of a mailed questionnaire for an epidemiologic study of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection in horses.
Prev Vet Med, 35(4), 241-253.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0167-5877(98)00070-1 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California at Davis, USA. doherr@ivi.admin.ch
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- California
- Case-Control Studies
- Corynebacterium Infections / etiology
- Corynebacterium Infections / veterinary
- Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses / microbiology
- Risk Factors
- Surveys and Questionnaires
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Palmer AL, Rogers CW, Stafford KJ, Gal A, Cochrane DJ, Bolwell CF. Cross-Sectional Survey of the Training Practices of Racing Greyhounds in New Zealand. Animals (Basel) 2020 Nov 4;10(11).
- Oliveira A, Teixeira P, Azevedo M, Jamal SB, Tiwari S, Almeida S, Silva A, Barh D, Dorneles EM, Haas DJ, Heinemann MB, Ghosh P, Lage AP, Figueiredo H, Ferreira RS, Azevedo V. Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis may be under anagenesis and biovar Equi forms biovar Ovis: a phylogenic inference from sequence and structural analysis. BMC Microbiol 2016 Jun 2;16:100.
- Morgan KL, Handel IG, Tanya VN, Hamman SM, Nfon C, Bergman IE, Malirat V, Sorensen KJ, de C Bronsvoort BM. Accuracy of herdsmen reporting versus serologic testing for estimating foot-and-mouth disease prevalence. Emerg Infect Dis 2014 Dec;20(12):2048-54.
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