Pilot study on adult sexuality in Germany – First results on feasibility and method comparison

Abstract

Introduction: There are currently no representative data available for Germany on the sexual behavior and sexual health of the adult population. Such data are urgently needed for evidence-based prevention work and health promotion as well as for cross-country comparisons of the development of sexual behavior in Europe. Research objectives: The aim of the pilot study is to test the feasibility of a population survey on the topic of sexuality in Germany and to compare methods (face-to-face interviews versus mailed paper questionnaires). Methods: Within the framework of a random sample of addresses via residents' registration offices (25 sample points , two-stage probabilistic procedure), N = 1 155 persons aged 18 to 75 years were interviewed about their experiences with sexuality, relationships and their sexual health. Results: A sexual survey of the adult population in Germany is feasible; it was possible to reach all population and age groups, even if older people participated less frequently. A comparison of the two survey methods shows that interviews (CAPI/CASI) are superior to postal questionnaires. This refers on the one hand to the response rate being twice as high (9% for postal questionnaires, 18% for face-to-face interviews) and on the other hand to the sample quality: the face-to-face survey better represents the population in terms of important socio-demographic characteristics and it allows better knowledge of non-response (refusal survey). Conclusion: Given the low participation rate, even with the weighting of the data, only cautious statements can be made. In addition, the sample is too small to address questions that only concern certain subgroups. Further analyses are urgently needed and should be carried out as part of a main study with a significantly larger sample. Abstract Introduction: To date, no representative data on the sexual behaviour and sexual health of the German adult population are available. Such data are urgently needed for evidence-based prevention and health promotion work as well as for cross-national comparisons of the development of sexual behaviour in Europe. Objectives: The aim of the pilot study is to test the feasibility of a population survey on sexuality in Germany as well as to compare methods (face-to-face interviews versus paper-pencil questionnaires sent by post). Methods: With addresses gathered via residents’ registration offices (25 “sample points”, two-stage probabilistic procedure), a random sample of N = 1 155 participants aged 18–75 years were asked about their experiences with sexuality, partnership, and sexual health. Results: A sex survey of the adult population in Germany was found to be feasible, as it successfully accessed all population and age groups, although elderly people participated less frequently. When compared, the interviews (CAPI/CASI) were found to be superior to the questionnaires sent by post. On the one hand, this is shown by the response rate, which is twice as high for the face-to-face interviews (18 %) as opposed to the questionnaires sent by post (9 %), and on the other hand by the quality of the samples: the face-to-face survey represents the population better in terms of important socio-demographic characteristics as well as allowing a superior insight into reasons for non-response (refusal survey). Conclusion: Given the low participation rate, even after weighting the data, conclusions can only be drawn with great caution. Additionally, when it comes to issues that only affect certain subgroups, the sample size is small. Further analysis is urgently required and would need to be carried out as part of a major study with a much larger sample.