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Kraus, U. ; Jacke, K.* ; Dandolo, L.* ; Dębiak, M.* ; Fichter, S.* ; Groth, K.* ; Kolossa-Gehring, M.* ; Hartig, C.* ; Horstmann, S.* ; Schneider, A.E. ; Palm, K.* ; Bolte, G.*

Operationalization of a multidimensional sex/gender concept for quantitative environmental health research and implementation in the KORA study: Results of the collaborative research project INGER.

Front. Publ. Health 11:1128918 (2023)

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BACKGROUND: In environmental health research, sex and gender are not yet adequately considered. There is a need to improve data collection in population-based environmental health studies by comprehensively surveying sex/gender-related aspects according to gender theoretical concepts. Thus, within the joint project INGER we developed a multidimensional sex/gender concept which we aimed to operationalize and to test the operationalization for feasibility. METHODS: In an iterative process, we created questionnaire modules which quantitatively captured the requirements of the INGER sex/gender concept. We deployed it in the KORA cohort (Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg, Germany) in 2019 and evaluated response and missing rates. RESULTS: The individual sex/gender self-concept was surveyed via a two-step approach that asked for sex assigned at birth and the current sex/gender identity. Additionally, we used existing tools to query internalized sex/gender roles and externalized sex/gender expressions. Adapted to the KORA population, we asked for discrimination experiences and care and household activities contributing to explain structural sex/gender relations. Further intersectionality-related social categories (e.g., socio-economic position), lifestyle and psychosocial factors were covered through data available in KORA. We could not identify appropriate tools to assess the true biological sex, sexual orientation and ethnic/cultural identity, which have yet to be developed or improved. The response-rate was 71%, the evaluation of 3,743 questionnaires showed a low missing rate. Prevalence of marginalized groups regarding sex/gender identity and definable by experiences of discrimination was very low. CONCLUSION: We have shown how the multidimensional INGER sex/gender concept can be operationalized according to an European and North American understanding of sex/gender for use in quantitative research. The questionnaire modules proved feasible in an epidemiologic cohort study. Being a balancing act between theoretical concepts and its quantitative implementation our operationalization paves the way for an adequate consideration of sex/gender in environmental health research.

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Publication type Article: Journal article

Document type Scientific Article

Corresponding Author

Keywords Environmental Health Research ; Gender ; Intersectionality ; Operationalization ; Sex ; Sex/gender; Gender Nonconformity; Discrimination; Dimensions; Guidelines; Identity; Sex

ISSN (print) / ISBN 2296-2565

e-ISSN 2296-2565

Journal Frontiers in Public Health

Quellenangaben Volume: 11, Article Number: 1128918

Publisher Frontiers

Publishing Place Lausanne

Non-patent literature Publications

Reviewing status Peer reviewed

Institute(s) Institute of Epidemiology II (EPI2)

Grants INGER