The 2021 Alcohol’s Harm to Others Survey: Methodological Approach

Abstract Background The 2021 Alcohol's Harm to Others (AHTO) is a comprehensive survey measuring the prevalence of different harms due to another’s drinking in the Australian population. First implemented in 2008, the AHTO survey has since been adapted to reflect changes in modern survey research and to be comparable with international AHTO surveys. Aims The current paper aims to provide a detailed account of the 2021 Australian Alcohol's Harm to Others (AHTO) survey, including the procedures for sampling, data collection, weighting, response rate calculation and results from a mode analysis. Methodology The 2021 AHTO survey was conducted by the Social Research Centre (SRC), whereby 1,000 participants were recruited through Random Digit Dial (RDD) and 1,574 through the Life in Australia Panel (LinA). Weights applied to the data to match key respondent demographics to the Australian population and between the two samples. Multivariable logistic regression models were conducted to probe the extent sample source (RDD; LinA) was associated with various survey outcomes. Results Multiple regression analyses found sample source had a statistically significant association with responses on three out of eight outcomes, with sample source contributing 1 – 8% of the overall variance in these models. Discussion The current paper highlighted the 2021 AHTO survey’s comprehensiveness and adaptability to a modern research context as its strengths. Yet some limitations were identified relating to the use of bi-modal survey methods. The methodological critiques from the current paper are vital to inform future AHTO surveys used in both a national and international context.