Improving Recruitment and Retention Rates in Preventive Longitudinal Research with Adolescent Mothers

Seed, Mary; Juarez, Magdalena; Alnatour, Ranya

doi:10.1111/j.1744-6171.2009.00193.x

Cited by 44 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 8 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Consistent with other studies analyzing recruitment and retention, male sex, non-white race and households with more children were predictors of low participant retention [11, 14–19]. A study by Nicholson et al implemented retention strategies in a longitudinal study amongst low-income, ethnically/racially diverse families (with a large proportion of African-Americans); at 12-months they did not find any difference in retention rates by race [20].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 67%

“…Indeed, a study by Nota et al concluded that the response rate to a questionnaire administered by phone three months after initial enrollment was significantly higher than by mail or email [12]. For participants who are difficult to reach, oftentimes the most successful means to regain contact is through a family member or an alternate contact [13, 14]. We attempted to address the challenge of frequent primary phone number changes by collecting contact information for an alternate contact at time of enrollment and updating this back-up information at the end of every successful call.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Predictors of successful telephone follow-up in a multicenter study of infants with severe bronchiolitis

Abo-Sido

Espinola

et al. 2017

Annals of Epidemiology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose To identify characteristics that predict successful telephone follow-up with parents of infants with severe bronchiolitis. Methods We analyzed data from a 17-center, prospective cohort study of infants (age <1 year) hospitalized with bronchiolitis during three consecutive fall/winter seasons. Participant contact information and clinical data were collected during the index hospitalization. Parents were called at 6-month intervals (based on the child’s age) after discharge to assess respiratory problems. The primary outcome was age 12-month telephone interview status. Participants were classified as unreachable after 28 days of unsuccessful attempts. Results 798 of 916 children (87%) completed the age 12-month telephone interview. In unadjusted analyses, factors associated with successful follow-up included: private health insurance, annual household income ≥$60,000, and residing in the Northeast, Midwest, or West. Follow-up was less common among non-Hispanic blacks, Hispanics, and households with ≥3 children. In multivariable analyses, follow-up was more likely among parents of females, and, compared to the South, in the Northeast and Midwest (all P<0.05). Compared to non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics remained less likely to complete the interview as did households with ≥3 children (all P<0.05). Conclusion Socio-demographic and geographic factors predict successful telephone follow-up, even among parents of infants with severe illness.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 67%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predictors of successful telephone follow-up in a multicenter study of infants with severe bronchiolitis

Abo-Sido

Espinola

et al. 2017

Annals of Epidemiology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Studies with more mobile populations, such as a group of poor, highly itinerant adolescent mothers, needed constant tracking to maintain their study participation. Researchers counteracted patient loss by actively acquiring alternative contact numbers from friends, relatives, and neighbors to trace the whereabouts of the wandering adolescent mothers [29]. Constant communication and frequent appointment reminders from the research staff before each visit improved follow-up attendance, particularly in social behavior studies of risk reduction for alcoholism, diabetes, and HIV infection [3,15,27,30,31].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenging Recruitment of Youth With Type 2 Diabetes Into Clinical Trials

Nguyen

Jayadeva

Cizza

et al. 2014

Journal of Adolescent Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose To better understand and overcome difficulties with recruitment of adolescents with type 2 diabetes into clinical trials at three United States institutions, we reviewed recruitment and retention strategies in clinical trials of youth with various chronic conditions. We explored whether similar strategies might be applicable to pediatric patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods We compiled data on recruitment and retention of adolescents with type 2 diabetes at three centers (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; and Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC) from January 2009 to December 2011. We also conducted a thorough literature review on recruitment and retention in adolescents with chronic health conditions. Results The number of recruited patients was inadequate for timely completion of ongoing trials. Our review of recruitment strategies in adolescents included monetary and material incentives, technology-based advertising, word-of-mouth referral, and continuous patient–research team contact. Cellular or Internet technology appeared promising in improving participation among youths in studies of various chronic conditions and social behaviors. Conclusions Adolescents with type 2 diabetes are particularly difficult to engage in clinical trials. Monetary incentives and use of technology do not represent “magic bullets,” but may presently be the most effective tools. Future studies should be conducted to explore motivation in this population. We speculate that (1) recruitment into interventional trials that address the main concerns of the affected youth (e.g., weight loss, body image, and stress management) combined with less tangible outcomes (e.g., blood glucose control) may be more successful; and (2) study participation and retention may be improved by accommodating patients’ and caregivers’ schedules, by scheduling study visits before and after working hours, and in more convenient locations than in medical facilities.

show abstract

“…7, 8 Furthermore, intermittent telephone service has been documented in low-income populations. 8, 9 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reconnecting with urban youth enrolled in a randomized controlled trial and overdue for a 12-month follow-up survey

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Retention of study participants in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is crucial to study validity. Purpose We analyzed the result of four retention strategies used to reconnect with urban teens enrolled in a school-based randomized controlled trial (RCT) and overdue for a 12-month follow-up survey. Methods Traditional retention strategies used to reconnect with teens categorized as “unable to contact” were weekly re-dials of non-working telephone numbers and mailings to the student’s home. Non-traditional retention strategies were obtaining assistance from school administration and communication through Facebook. Results Of the 422 students enrolled, 125 (29.5%) were overdue for a 12-month follow-up survey, but had no working telephone number (unable to contact). We made 196 attempts to contact these 125 students, of which 82 attempts (41.8%) were successful in “reconnecting,” defined as (1) a student contacting research staff as a result of a mailed notice; (2) a research staff member leaving a voicemail at a previously disconnected telephone number; (3) a student responding to Facebook outreach; or (4) research staff obtaining a new telephone number and talking to a person at the new telephone number. We used “ mailed reminder letters” as the referent category, in our analysis. Odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for the association between the strategy used and success (“reconnecting”) for telephone number re-dials, Facebook, and school administration assistance were 4.60 (1.8–11.8), 1.94 (1.01–3.73), and 2.91 (0.58–14.50), respectively. Limitations Retention strategies were not applied hierarchically or systematically across students, and we were unable to ascertain student preference for a particular strategy. In addition, our findings may be applicable only to study populations with characteristics similar to those of students included in this study. Conclusion Overall, of the 422 students who enrolled in the study, 380 (90%), ultimately completed the 12-month follow-up survey. A mix of traditional retention strategies, such as telephone number re-dials, and more contemporary methods, such as use of Facebook, were effective in reconnecting with urban teenagers enrolled in a school-based RCT, and controlling attrition during the 12-month follow-up survey period.

show abstract

Improving Recruitment and Retention Rates in Preventive Longitudinal Research with Adolescent Mothers

Abstract: Retention rates for this study were low. With today's technology, many additional strategies need to be employed to improve retention rates with adolescent mothers.

Cited by 44 publications

References 8 publications

Predictors of successful telephone follow-up in a multicenter study of infants with severe bronchiolitis

Predictors of successful telephone follow-up in a multicenter study of infants with severe bronchiolitis

Challenging Recruitment of Youth With Type 2 Diabetes Into Clinical Trials

Reconnecting with urban youth enrolled in a randomized controlled trial and overdue for a 12-month follow-up survey

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About