Recruitment and Retention of Asian Americans in Web-Based Physical Activity Promotion Programs

Abstract

Web-based interventions that promote physical activity have been tested in various populations and proven effective. However, information on recruiting and retaining ethnic minorities in these interventions is limited. This study discusses practical issues in recruitment and retention of Asian Americans using three strategies: (1) only Web-based intervention (Group 1), (2) one with Fitbit Charge HR (Group 2), and (3) one with Fitbit Charge HR and office visits (Group 3). Recruitment and retention rates, minutes of weekly research team meetings, and the researchers' memos were collected. Retention rates were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the minutes and memos were content analyzed following Weber's methods. Retention rates varied by the end of the first (12% in Group 3, 36.9% in Group 2) and third month (0% in Group 3, 36.9% in Group 2). The practical issues were (1) difficulties in recruitment across strategies, (2) the necessity of using community consultants/leaders across strategies, (3) subethnic differences across strategies, (4) timing issues across strategies, (5) Fitbit as a facilitator with several hindrances, and (6) office visits as an inhibitor. Fitbits with user guidelines and community consultants'/leaders' involvement are proposed for future Web-based interventions to promote physical activity in Asian Americans.

Recruitment and Retention Strategies Among Racial and Ethnic Minorities in Web-Based Intervention Trials: Retrospective Qualitative Analysis

“…Working with community consultants and leaders (eg, listening to a pastor’s advice to visit the community site) [ 15 ] (e-CHECC-uP study)…”

“…Developing thorough guidelines regarding interventions with technology in participants’ own languages with precreated IDs and passwords [ 15 ] (e-CHECC-uP study)…”

“…A community health worker is a “frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served” [ 31 ]. The involvement of community consultants and leaders in research not only increased positive recruitment results but also provided vital advice on how to approach participants and gain their trust [ 15 ]. Our community health worker helped us to build rapport with the pastor and church members, provided a brief introduction about the study, gathered those who showed interest, and advised on the timing of visits and how to approach potential participants.…”

“…• Prioritizing features of the web-based intervention (ie, ease and convenience of use, perceived helpfulness, and likelihood of future use) [19] • Developing thorough guidelines regarding interventions with technology in participants' own languages with precreated IDs and passwords [15] (e-CHECC-uP study)…”

The effect of a comprehensive mobile application program (CMAP) for family caregivers of home‐dwelling patients with dementia: A preliminary research

“…It is significant that a program does not require caregivers to be apart from the patient. Information technology like web or app-based programs can help main family caregivers who have been caring for home-dwelling patients with dementia for a long time to respond to care needs appropriately and reduce their burden (Elvish, Lever, Johnstone, Cawley, & Keady, 2013). Intervention through the internet or smart phone is a method that has easy spatiotemporal approachability and allows for efficient care of patients because caregivers can participate while individually caring for patients at home.…”