Avoiding Early Study Attrition in Adolescent Girls: Impact of Recruitment Contextual Factors

Abstract

This descriptive study examined factors associated with adolescent girls continuing in a randomized controlled trial of an HIV-prevention intervention after enrollment based on an analysis of locator form and demographic data. When the authors piloted the study, 48% (62 of 129) of the participants (aged 15-19 years) continued in the intervention after enrollment. Once a formal recruitment and retention protocol was initiated, 80% (264 of 334 girls 15-19 years old) returned after enrollment. Chi-square analyses found statistically significant differences (p < .001 to .05) between the girls who continued (n = 264) and those who did not (n = 68), associated with recruiter's experience, recruitment method, contact status, and parental awareness of study participation. Living situation was not relevant, nor was being able to receive email or cell phone messages. These findings suggest factors to consider when developing and implementing recruitment protocols to enhance retention in clinical trials involving adolescent girls.

Recruitment Strategies and Rates of a Multi-Site Behavioral Intervention for Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer

“…The more successful recruitment of young females supports an assertion of Gilligan that adolescent females place more emphasis on relationships (Gilligan, 1982); accordingly, the young adolescent females in SMART may have valued the opportunity to work closely with the interventionist. The gender outcome is consistent with a recent study of adolescents with HIV (Seibold-Simpson, 2010). The more successful recruitment of young adolescent females is supported in the developmental literature (Nelson, 2003; Carlo, 2003), suggesting that younger females often have a strong desire to please others.…”

“…Consistent with the literature, the SMART study had higher recruitment rates for females in general and younger female AYA (Seibold-Simpson, 2010). The more successful recruitment of young females supports an assertion of Gilligan that adolescent females place more emphasis on relationships (Gilligan, 1982); accordingly, the young adolescent females in SMART may have valued the opportunity to work closely with the interventionist.…”

“…Research has suggested that AYA are more likely to participate in research if they are referred by their own health care provider (e.g., physician or nurse) (Breland-Noble, 2006; Gooch, 2000; May et al, 2007; Seibold-Simpson & Morrison-Beedy, 2010; Yancey, Ortega, & Kumanyika, 2006). AYA are not necessarily more likely to participate in research simply because their treatment setting is located in an academic medical center.…”

Predictors of post‐release research retention and subsequent reenrollment for women recruited while incarcerated

“…The connection found here between alternate contacts and retention has also been found in other vulnerable populations (Seibold‐Simpson & Morrison‐Beedy, 2010). When asked to provide alternate contacts, women commonly gave us information for one person, most often a female family member with whom they had remained close while incarcerated.…”

It’s Getting Late: Improving Completion Rates in a Hard-to-Reach Sample

“…during young adulthood pose significant challenges for long-term studies (Boys et al 2003;Hanna, Scott, and Schmidt 2014;Seibold-Simpson and Morrison-Beedy 2010).…”