Recruitment and retention challenges and successes

Area of Science:

• Community-based participatory research
• Health disparities research
• Maternal and child health

Background:

• Addressing health disparities necessitates culturally adapted research methods.
• Recruiting and retaining minority populations in studies presents significant challenges.
• Previous research indicates difficulties in engaging Hispanic women in health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present effective strategies for recruiting and retaining rural Hispanic women in a breastfeeding education intervention.
• To overcome common barriers faced in minority participant recruitment and retention.
• To improve the design of culturally sensitive health research.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental design with repeated measures was employed.
• Participants were Hispanic women aged 15 years and older, recruited via a regional hospital.
• Data were collected at seven intervals from enrollment to 6 months postpartum.

Main Results:

• Recruitment goals were successfully met, with 46 out of 58 women contacted enrolled.
• An exceptional 100% completion rate was achieved for all participants.
• High engagement was sustained throughout the 6-month study period.

Conclusions:

• Community-based strategies, including culturally tailored materials and flexible logistics, are crucial for successful recruitment and retention.
• Building trust through local connections and addressing practical barriers like transportation and language are key.
• Persistence and adaptability by research staff are vital for overcoming challenges in minority health research.