Developing Online Recruitment and Retention Methods for HIV Prevention Research Among Adolescent Males Who Are Interested in Sex with Males: Interviews with Adolescent Males

Nelson, Kimberly M.; Ramírez, Jaime; Carey, Michael P.

doi:10.2196/jmir.8959

Cited by 8 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…However, the age restrictions of bars and clubs poses a barrier to the recruitment of YMSM under the age of 21 years. This age requirement could possibly result in fewer adolescents recruited or additional effort required from research staff, leaving online-based recruitment as a more effective way to recruiting sexual and gender minority AYAs into HIV research [ 15 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparing Social Media and In-Person Recruitment: Lessons Learned From Recruiting Substance-Using, Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents and Young Adults for a Randomized Control Trial

Parker¹,

Hunter²,

Bauermeister³

et al. 2021

JMIR Public Health Surveill

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Background Recruiting large samples of diverse sexual and gender minority adolescent and young adults (AYAs) into HIV intervention research is critical to the development and later dissemination of interventions that address the risk factors for HIV transmission among substance-using, sexual and gender minority AYAs. Objective This paper aimed to describe the characteristics of the samples recruited via social media and in-person methods and makes recommendations for strategies to recruit substance-using, sexual and gender minority AYAs, a hardly reached population that is a priority for HIV prevention research. Methods Using data from a randomized control trial of an HIV and substance use intervention with sexual and gender minority AYAs, aged 15 to 29 years in southeastern Michigan (n=414), we examined demographic and behavioral characteristics associated with successful recruitment from a range of virtual and physical venues. Results We found that paid advertisements on Facebook, Instagram, and Grindr offered the largest quantity of eligible participants willing to enroll in the trial. Instagram offered the largest proportion of transgender masculine participants, and Grindr offered the largest proportion of Black/African American individuals. Although we attempted venue-based recruitment at clubs, bars, community centers, and AIDS service organizations, we found it to be unsuccessful for this specific hardly reached population. Social media and geobased dating applications offered the largest pool of eligible participants. Conclusions Understanding factors associated with successful recruitment has the potential to inform effective and efficient strategies for HIV prevention research with substance-using, sexual and gender AYAs. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02945436; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02945436 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.2196/resprot.9414

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparing Social Media and In-Person Recruitment: Lessons Learned From Recruiting Substance-Using, Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents and Young Adults for a Randomized Control Trial

Parker¹,

Hunter²,

Bauermeister³

et al. 2021

JMIR Public Health Surveill

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Behavioral scientists need to remain mindful that online recruitment approaches are not a replacement for field-based/in person strategies, as each has distinct advantages, limitations, and research capacity [47]. Irrespective of approach, recruitment procedures need be reflective of input from the target population (AYA) to increase the efficiency, reach, validity, and scientific yield of HIV prevention research [48]. Moreover, greater collaboration and resource sharing among researchers, academic and clinical institutions, and community partners will ultimately provide the needed infrastructure for development of tailored, evidence-based recruitment models and approaches lending to health equity for AYA.…”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recruitment of US Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) into Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)–Related Behavioral Research Studies: A Scoping Review

et al. 2020

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“…Despite these challenges, researchers have identified methods to increase retention rates of samples recruited on the web, including frequent communication between surveys [ 20 ], financial incentives [ 21 ], and building positive rapport with participants [ 21 , 22 ]. Previous research has been able to maintain high retention rates after recruiting participants on social media.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Screening and Retaining Adolescents Recruited Through Social Media: Secondary Analysis from a Longitudinal Clinical Trial

Weisblum,

Trussell,

Schwinn

et al. 2024

JMIR Pediatr Parent

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Background Social media has become a popular method to recruit participants, particularly for studies with hard-to-reach populations. These studies still face challenges in data quality and, for longitudinal studies, sample retention. However, in addition to aiding in recruitment, social media platforms can help researchers with participant verification and tracking procedures during the study. There is limited previous research describing how longitudinal studies can use social media to screen and retain participants. Objective This paper describes strategies implemented to screen and retain a nationwide sample of sexual minority youth who were recruited through social media platforms for a longitudinal study testing a drug abuse prevention program. Methods Our screening strategies for participants included collecting necessary demographic information (name, phone, email, and social media accounts), verifying this information using publicly available web-based records, and sending confirmation emails to ensure working email addresses and correct dates of birth. Retention strategies included communications designed to develop positive participant relationships, incentives for survey completion, regular updating of participant contact information, targeting hard-to-reach participants, and using social media as an alternative means of contacting participants. Results During enrollment, although the only demographic data required were a phone number and an email address, 87.58% (1065/1216) of participants provided their Instagram as an alternative means of contact. This form of alternative communication remains the most preferred with 87.40% (1047/1198) of participants continuing to provide an Instagram username as of January 2023, about 3 years after recruitment began. In comparison, other alternative means of contact (eg, Facebook and alternative email) were provided by only 6.43% (77/1198) to 56.18% (673/1198) of participants. Direct messaging on Instagram was used to successfully confirm participant identity, remind participants to take annual follow-up surveys, and update lost participant contact information. Screening and retention strategies used in the study have helped achieve 96.30% (1171/1216) to 96.79% (1177/1216) sample retention across 3 waves of data collection. Conclusions Though social media can be a helpful tool to recruit participants, attrition and participant authenticity difficulties may be associated with this method. Screening and retention strategies can be implemented to improve retention. Internet searches are effective for screening youth to ensure they meet eligibility requirements. Additionally, social media—Instagram in this study—can help to track and locate participants who do not respond to traditional contact methods. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03954535; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03954535

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Developing Online Recruitment and Retention Methods for HIV Prevention Research Among Adolescent Males Who Are Interested in Sex with Males: Interviews with Adolescent Males

Cited by 8 publications

References 15 publications

Comparing Social Media and In-Person Recruitment: Lessons Learned From Recruiting Substance-Using, Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents and Young Adults for a Randomized Control Trial

Comparing Social Media and In-Person Recruitment: Lessons Learned From Recruiting Substance-Using, Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents and Young Adults for a Randomized Control Trial

Recruitment of US Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) into Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)–Related Behavioral Research Studies: A Scoping Review

Screening and Retaining Adolescents Recruited Through Social Media: Secondary Analysis from a Longitudinal Clinical Trial

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