THE FEASIBILITY OF A STREET-INTERCEPT SURVEY METHOD IN AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY

Objectives. This study evaluates the feasibility of a nonquota, street -intercept survey method that utilized random selection of interview s ites. Methods. The street-intercept survey was compared with a random- digit-dial telephone survey conducted in the same catchment area among African-American adults aged 18 or older. Results. The street-interce pt survey's response rate was 80.2%; residence rate, 85.3%; interview completion rate, 97.9%; interference rate, 4.0%; and yield rate, 2.5 i nterviews per interviewer per hour. The street-intercept method produc ed more representative distributions of age and sex than the random-di git-dial survey. Conclusions. The street-intercept method is a feasibl e alternative to traditional population survey methods and may provide better access to harder-to-reach segments of the urban population in a safe manner.