A mixed methods analysis of participation in a social contact survey
Emily Nixon,
Taru Silvonen,
Antoine Barreaux,
Rachel Kwiatkowska,
Adam Trickey,
Amy Thomas,
Becky Ali,
Georgia Treneman-Evans,
Hannah Christensen,
Ellen Brooks-Pollock,
Sarah Denford
Affiliations
Emily Nixon
School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; School of Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK; Corresponding author at: Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Taru Silvonen
School of Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
Antoine Barreaux
Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; INTERTRYP (Univ. Montpellier, CIRAD, IRD), Montpellier, France
Rachel Kwiatkowska
School of Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
Adam Trickey
School of Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
Amy Thomas
School of Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
Becky Ali
School of Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
Georgia Treneman-Evans
School of Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
Hannah Christensen
School of Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
Ellen Brooks-Pollock
School of Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
Sarah Denford
School of Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
Background: Social contact survey data forms a core component of modern epidemic models: however, there has been little assessment of the potential biases in such data. Methods: We conducted focus groups with university students who had (n = 13) and had never (n = 14) completed a social contact survey during the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative findings were explored quantitatively by analysing participation data. Results: The opportunity to contribute to COVID-19 research, to be heard and feel useful were frequently reported motivators for participating in the contact survey. Reductions in survey engagement following lifting of COVID-19 restrictions may have occurred because the research was perceived to be less critical and/or because the participants were busier and had more contacts. Having a high number of contacts to report, uncertainty around how to report each contact, and concerns around confidentiality were identified as factors leading to inaccurate reporting. Focus groups participants thought that financial incentives or provision of study results would encourage participation. Conclusions: Incentives could improve engagement with social contact surveys. Qualitative research can inform the format, timing, and wording of surveys to optimise completion and accuracy.
