Comparing two methods of measuring legislation compliance among indoor tanning facilities

Background: Accurate measurement of compliance by tanning facilities to indoor tanning legislation is important. Objective: This study compared a telephone-based measurement procedure with a face-to-face visit. Methods: Indoor tanning facilities (N = 115) in San Diego County, California, were contacted by two adolescents posing as prospective customers using each method. Two compliance variables were assessed: number of times one can tan during 1 week and written parental consent for minors. Results: Facility compliance with the frequency variable by face-to-face and telephone was 25.5% and 17.5%, respectively. These rates for the parental consent variable were 73.3% and 80.8%, respectively. Percent agreement between data collection methods was 71.3% for compliance with the frequency recommendation and 76.3% for parental consent regulation. Although traditional statistical tests indicated poor concordance, an alternative test indicated good concordance. Limitations: Levels of concordance for the confederates differed. Conclusion: Telephone assessment of compliance is fairly comparable with the more labor-intensive, face-to-face assessment.