Respondent-driven sampling to recruit adolescents in Kenya

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Social Sciences

Background:

• Adolescent health research requires effective recruitment strategies.
• Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) is a chain-referral method for sampling hidden populations.
• Previous studies have not extensively utilized RDS for adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) research in urban informal settlements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the application of RDS in a mixed-methods SRH study among adolescents in Kisumu, Kenya.
• To evaluate the feasibility and efficiency of RDS for recruiting a large adolescent sample.
• To assess the utility of RDS for reaching vulnerable youth populations.

Main Methods:

• RDS was employed with initial "seeds" recruited from urban informal settlements.
• Participants aged 15-19 were given up to five referral coupons.
• Cross-sectional surveys were conducted with referred adolescents.

Main Results:

• 18 seeds recruited 3381 adolescents, achieving a 25% coupon return rate and enrolling 3061 participants (23% survey rate).
• Demographic characteristics reached equilibrium between recruitment waves 5-8 in three communities and 7-15 in the fourth.
• Median referral lag time was three days.

Conclusions:

• RDS proved to be a feasible and efficient method for recruiting a substantial adolescent sample for SRH research.
• The study highlights RDS's potential for reaching vulnerable adolescents in resource-limited settings.
• RDS can inform future interventions addressing diverse health challenges, including food insecurity, housing instability, and violence, among underserved youth.