264 Best practices for monitoring migrants’ health: repeated cross-sectional surveys in Finland

Abstract OP 13: Research Methods, B304 (FCSH), September 3, 2025, 17:00 - 18:00 Aims The migrant health survey studies were conducted as face-to-face interviews in Finland up to 2014 (e.g. Maamu n = 3000; UTH n = 5449). While the data collected were high quality, face-to-face interviews were an expensive way to collect data. In addition, whilst the studies revealed significant health gaps between countries of origin and different migration statuses, more detailed information was needed to improve services. Further studies conducted between 2018 and 2022 aimed to establish more cost-effective methods for collecting data and to incorporate more sociodemographic factors as part of the health monitoring. Methods In Finland, it is possible to retrieve information on foreign origin from population registers, allowing for selection of representative random samples. In the studies conducted between 2018 and 2022, participants received an invitation letter by post with up to four further reminder letters. The invitation letter and the questionnaire were made available in the 20 most common languages in Finland. Members of the target populations were recruited to work on the letters as well as to perform supplementary telephone interviews with non-respondents. Results Three cross-sectional health surveys were conducted with the same data collection methods between 2018 and 2022. The response rate varied between 44% and 53%, being on par with general population’s health studies in Finland. The more cost-effective methods allowed us to increase the sample size up to n = 18,600 in 2022 (the MoniSuomi survey). Larger samples enabled reporting the results in more detail by region, age group, country of origin and reason for migration. Using established research methods enabled comparison to general population and to previous studies. Conclusions High-quality health survey data on migrants can be collected cost-effectively with a well-planned invitation letter, translated questionnaires and multiple re-contacting. Co-operation with members of the target population improves study methods and builds trust between researchers and the migrant communities.