Modes of administering sexual health and blood-borne virus surveys in migrant populations: A scoping review

PLoS One. 2020 Aug 3;15(8):e0236821. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236821. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

There has been a growing number of sexual health and blood-borne virus (SHBBV) surveys specifically administered to migrant populations. The purpose of this scoping review is to collate available information about how SHBBV surveys have been administered in migrant populations and the effect that mode of administration has on data quality, reliability and other practical considerations, e.g. response rates (RR) and social desirability bias. A methodological framework for scoping reviews was applied. SHBBV survey studies administered to international migrants published since 2000 were included if they contained some description of mode of administration. Ninety one studies were identified for inclusion from Embase, Medline, Web of Science, Google Scholar and supplementary grey literature. 'Interview only' was the most common mode of administration (n = 48), predominately comprising face-to-face interviews. Thirty six studies reported data from 'self-completed' surveys only, with pen-and-paper being most common (n = 17). Few studies (n = 7) combined interview and self-completed methods of survey administration. Sixty one studies did not report (or only partially reported) RR or the data necessary to calculate RR. Of the studies that reported RR, most were missing other key information including method of recruitment, consent procedures and whether incentives were offered. Strengths and limitations of all administration modes are summarised. Guidelines to inform future SHBBV survey research in migrant populations are presented.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Blood-Borne Pathogens*
  • Health Surveys*
  • Humans
  • Population Health
  • Sexual Health* / statistics & numerical data
  • Transients and Migrants / statistics & numerical data*
  • Virus Diseases

Grants and funding

AR, BM, RL, DV and MR received funding from the Australia Research Council: https://www.arc.gov.au/. Additional project funding was provided by the Department of Health Western Australia (https://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/), the Department of Health South Australia (https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/), the Department of Health and Human Services Victoria (https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/) and SHine SA (https://www.shinesa.org.au/) The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.