Starting the SToP trial: Lessons from a collaborative recruitment approach.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Indigenous Health Research
• Community Engagement

Background:

• Research recruitment in Australian Aboriginal communities presents unique challenges.
• Effective strategies are crucial for successful participant engagement and data collection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the recruitment approach of the SToP (See, Treat, Prevent skin infections) trial among Aboriginal families.
• To identify barriers and facilitators to recruitment and assess the utility of a visual resource.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative participatory action research design.
• Semi-structured interviews with staff and yarning sessions with community members.
• Thematic analysis of audio-recorded and transcribed data.

Main Results:

• Local Aboriginal facilitators using flip charts were valued for explaining the trial's importance.
• Barriers included a prolonged recruitment process, underdeveloped administrative systems, and stigma.
• Partnerships with local Aboriginal organizations and employing Aboriginal researchers were seen as successful.

Conclusions:

• Partnership is vital for successful research recruitment in Aboriginal contexts.
• Recruitment strategies must be co-designed with Aboriginal research partners.
• Aboriginal perspectives should guide recruitment methods for future research.