Methodological difficulties of nation wide studies on adolescents' doping

Objective. - To analyse, from a methodological point of view, a low response rate: about 15 questionnaires returned for 100 diffused. Methods. - The study is analysed through Huang's five criteria: the participants' interest in the study, the comprehensive understanding of the target population, the ability to reach the study population, the nature of incentives, the name of the study sponsor. Results. - Besides the fact that we may fail to convince the actors of the importance of the survey, three main elements contribute to explain the low response rate: adolescents did not worry about doping, lack of interest from many regional responsibles and from responsibles of sporting clubs. Conclusions. - The realisation of nation wide epidemiological survey does not seem impossible, if certain conditions are performed, namely motivated investigators and a scrupulously respected protocol. (C) 2004 Elsevier SAS. Tous droits reserves.