Predictors of Retention Among African Americans in a Randomized Controlled Trial to Test the Healthy Eating and Active Living in the Spirit (HEALS) Intervention

Abstract

<p class="Pa7"><strong>Introduction: </strong>Retention of racial/ethnic minority groups into research trials is neces­sary to fully understand and address health disparities. This study was conducted to identify participants’ characteristics associ­ated with retention of African Americans (AAs) in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a behavioral intervention.</p><p class="Pa7"><strong>Methods: </strong>Using data from an RCT con­ducted from 2009 to 2012 among AAs, participant-level factors were examined for associations with retention between three measurement points (ie, baseline, 3-month, and 12-month). Chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses were conducted to compare retained participants to those who were not retained in order to identify important predictors of retention.</p><p class="Pa7"><strong>Results: </strong>About 57% of participants (n=238) were retained at 12 months. Baseline char­acteristics that showed a statistically signifi­cant association with retention status were age, marital status, body mass index (BMI), intervention group, enrollment of a partner in the study, and perceived stress score (PSS). Multivariable logistic regression that adjusted for age, BMI, and PSS showed the odds of being retained among participants who enrolled with a partner was 2.95 (95% CI: 1.87-4.65) compared with participants who had no study partner enrolled. The odds of being retained among participants who were obese and morbidly obese were .32 and .27 (95% CI: .14-.74 and .11-.69), respectively, compared with participants who had normal weight.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Having a partner enrolled in behavioral interventions may improve retention of study participants. Researchers also need to be cognizant of participants’ obesity status and potentially target reten­tion efforts toward these individuals. <em></em></p><p><em>Ethn Dis. </em>2017;27(3):265-272; doi:10.18865/ed.27.3.265.</p><strong></strong>

Retention Among Participants in the National Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Change Program, 2012–2017

“…Reviews have concluded (14,24) that retention is more closely associated with psychological and behavioral variables than with demographic variables. For example, retention in behavioral change programs has been associated with factors such as partner enrollment in the study, perceived stress, self-efficacy, marital status, financial incentives, smoking status, depression, education, or employment (14,19,22,(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38). The DPRP database does not include these variables, and therefore, we were unable to examine how they were related to retention.…”

Sistas Inspiring Sistas Through Activity and Support (SISTAS): Study Design and Demographics of Participants

“…Body fat and lean body mass were obtained through bioelectrical impedance assessment (BIA). 8,11,24 Dietary Data Estimates of energy and intake of nutrients and food groups were derived from participant self-report of food consumption. This information was collected using a single, telephone-administered, 24-hour dietary recall interview (24HR).…”

“…The SISTAS Research Study -Bevel et al hallmark of CBPR-based recruitment strategies. 6,11 Research also has shown that group-based interventions may be significant in creating large changes in a multitude of health outcomes. 12 Collaborations between AA communities and universities are vital in delivering culturally appropriate, evidenced-based health-promotion messages that can effectively reach the intended audience.…”

How to improve participant compliance in clinical trials: A Scoping Review of process factors

“…Trust for the trial The more trust, the higher compliance [9,14,16] 66/181 Work commitment Different work may affect compliance [25,35,36] .…”

“…Babatunde O A2017 [36] Overweight Public USA Seniors RCT 412 Not applicable Julia Lawton 2017 [37] Diabetes Public England Researchers Interview 22 Not applicable J. Lloyd 2017 [38] Overweight Public England Children Implementation research 1324 Not applicable David A. Rorie2017 [39] Hypertension Public England NR Implementation research…”