Hard-To-Reach and Hidden Groups in Health-Related Research-A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Sociology
• Public Health

Background:

• Identifying and recruiting hard-to-reach and hidden populations is crucial for comprehensive health research.
• Existing literature often lacks consistent definitions and methodologies for engaging these groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically identify hard-to-reach and hidden populations in health-related research.
• To explore and categorize the recruitment methods employed for these populations.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review was conducted using Arksey and O'Malley's framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
• Searches of CINAHL and MEDLINE databases were performed, with data extracted and synthesized using descriptive analysis.
• Forty-one studies published between 2001 and 2022 were included after screening 1024 articles.

Main Results:

• Eight categories of hard-to-reach/hidden groups were identified: LGBTQ+ community, intoxicant users, sex workers, marginalized groups, mental health care seekers, impaired individuals, expatriates, and abuse victims.
• Common recruitment methods included snowball sampling, respondent-based sampling, and website-based approaches.
• The terminology used to define these groups was found to be variable and inconsistent across studies.

Conclusions:

• This review offers insights into the current landscape of research involving hard-to-reach and hidden populations.
• Standardizing terminology and recruitment strategies is essential for advancing health equity and improving outcomes for all individuals, particularly marginalized groups.