Challenges and Strategies for Conducting Intervention Research with Culturally Diverse Populations

Abstract

Conducting intervention research with culturally diverse, underserved, and often hard to reach populations in naturalistic or field settings presents investigators with a number of practical challenges. This article describes four special challenges and strategies for dealing with them that clients, service providers, and researchers experienced in conducting a prevention intervention to reduce substance use and sexual risky behaviors with low-income Latina young women. The challenges are (a) building community partnerships; (b) developing interventions that are acceptable and relevant; (c) promoting successful recruitment, participation, and retention of participants; and (d) developing a diverse, cohesive, and committed research team and effective managerial information support systems.

Unequal Burden of Disease, Unequal Participation in Clinical Trials: Solutions from African American and Latino Community Members

“…Among Latino participants, proposed solutions were related to characteristics of study processes, including language-congruent care, which has been defined as a set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies that influence awareness of the distinctive (and similar) characteristics of populations that receive treatment at medical centers and are recruited into clinical trials at those centers (IQ Solutions, Inc., 2000;Lindenberg, Solorzano, Vilaro, & Westbrook, 2001;O'Brien et al, 2006). For example, Lindenberg et al (2001) conducted a prevention intervention trial to reduce substance abuse and risky sexual activities in young Latinas with low income and found that recruitment outcomes were most successful when conducted by recruiters who were bicultural and bilingual and who identified with the potential participants.…”

“…For example, Lindenberg et al (2001) conducted a prevention intervention trial to reduce substance abuse and risky sexual activities in young Latinas with low income and found that recruitment outcomes were most successful when conducted by recruiters who were bicultural and bilingual and who identified with the potential participants.…”

Challenges in recruitment of research participants

“…Attention to these issues may gain the participant's confidence, with resultant successful recruitment (Box 5; Sibbald et al, 1994;Hough et al, 1996;Ribisl et al, 1996;Dowling & Wiener, 1997;BootsMiller et al, 1998;Lindenberg et al, 2001). Time, travel, financial and inconvenience costs for participants can be minimised if researchers are accommodating and flexible.…”

“…Second, many researchers advocate the use of different methods of communication with participants, including letter, telephone, e-mail or face-to-face contactthe significance of personal contact should not be underestimated. Using a different method of communication on subsequent attempts to establish contact may yield new success and thus achieve good response rates (Lindenberg et al, 2001;Edwards et al, 2002).…”

Challenges conducting comparative effectiveness research: the Clinical and Health Outcomes Initiative in Comparative Effectiveness (CHOICE) experience

“…8 Pragmatic studies in CER face many challenges in terms of inclusion of underserved or disadvantaged populations in addition to logistical challenges with study conduct. 9 Lack of insurance coverage or difficulty in paying for copayments or deductibles can be significant barriers to participation and retention in CER trials. 10 Other vulnerabilities of the underserved, whether due to lack of scientific study, advanced age, complicated health concerns, financial difficulties, or difficulties in adhering to treatment regimens due to poor health, education, and/or literacy, make them likely to respond differently to treatments, due to the very factors that lead to their exclusion from conventional clinical trials.…”