We described survey mode uptake and sociodemographic differences by mode among respondents to a respondent-driven sampling survey of transgender people in Ontario, Canada. Survey mode was left to participant choice.

Methods: Data were collected from 433 transgender Ontarians in 2009-2010 through a self-administered questionnaire, available online, by paper copy, or by telephone with language interpretation.

Results: Paper respondents (9.5%) were significantly more likely to be Aboriginal or persons of color, underhoused, sex workers, and unemployed or receiving disability benefits.

Conclusions: In Canada and similar high-income countries, sampling transgender populations that are diverse with respect to social determinants of health may be best carried out with multimode surveys.

Reference: Scheim AI, Bauer GR, Coleman, TA. Sociodemographic differences by survey mode in a respondent-driven sampling study of transgender people in Ontario, Canada. LGBT Health 2016; 3(5):391-395. doi: 10.1089/lgbt.2015.0046