Attrition of Older Mexican American Survey Respondents

Objective The purpose of this study is to compare sample attrition between foreign born and US born older Mexican Americans. Methods Prospective cohort data over five waves (Hispanic established population for the epidemiological study of the elderly) of 3,050 older Mexican Americans were used to estimate the number and proportion of drop outs. Multivariate logistic regression of predictors of attrition included nativity, age, gender, race/ethnicity, marital status, financial strain, employment status, education, chronic conditions, cognitive function, disability, and depressive symptoms. Results Over 11 years of follow-up, 62% of the respondents dropped out of the study, but the difference between respondents born in the US and Mexico differed by only 2% points. Multivariate analyses of correlates for attrition related to death, refusal, and lost to follow-up revealed that older respondents in poor health were more likely to die and be lost to follow up. Conclusion Over 11 years of follow-up, immigrants were no more likely to drop out than US born respondents.