The study of women in Gothenburg 1968-1969-a population study. General design, purpose and sampling results.

A population study of women in Gothenburg, Sweden, is presented. The women were representative of the total female population in Gothenburg in the age strata 38, 46, 50, 54 and 60 years. Altogether 1 462 women participated in the examination, the participation rate being 90.1%. Social data of participants and non-participants are given. The performance of the examination is described and research projects are outlined. It is concluded that the selection of a strictly representative sample, together with careful uniformity of performance and high participation rate, will make it possible to draw valid conclusions about the total population of middle-aged women in Gothenburg.