Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology for respondent-driven sampling studies: “STROBE-RDS” statement

Abstract

ObjectivesRespondent-driven sampling (RDS) is a new data collection methodology used to estimate characteristics of hard-to-reach groups, such as the HIV prevalence in drug users. Many national public health systems and international organizations rely on RDS data. However, RDS reporting quality and available reporting guidelines are inadequate. We carried out a systematic review of RDS studies and present Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology for RDS Studies (STROBE-RDS), a checklist of essential items to present in RDS publications, justified by an explanation and elaboration document.Study Design and SettingWe searched the MEDLINE (1970–2013), EMBASE (1974–2013), and Global Health (1910–2013) databases to assess the number and geographical distribution of published RDS studies. STROBE-RDS was developed based on STROBE guidelines, following Guidance for Developers of Health Research Reporting Guidelines.ResultsRDS has been used in over 460 studies from 69 countries, including the USA (151 studies), China (70), and India (32). STROBE-RDS includes modifications to 12 of the 22 items on the STROBE checklist. The two key areas that required modification concerned the selection of participants and statistical analysis of the sample.ConclusionSTROBE-RDS seeks to enhance the transparency and utility of research using RDS. If widely adopted, STROBE-RDS should improve global infectious diseases public health decision making.

Collecting data from migrants in Ghana: Lessons learned using respondent-driven sampling

“…Use of RDS, and evidence generated from RDS samples, has grown rapidly since the mid-1990s, with over 460 studies in 69 countries (White et al 2015). The methodology has been revised over the years, leading to adjustments such as the calculation of standard errors, new estimators, a bootstrap method for constructing confidence intervals, and larger design effects (Heckathorn 2002;Salganik 2006;Heckathorn 2007;Volz and Heckathorn 2008;Wejnert et al 2012).…”

“…Researchers have used RDS most frequently in the USA, China, India, Mexico, and South Africa (White et al 2015). Though four of the five most common countries for RDS studies are classified as LMIC, the use of RDS in migration research is often restricted to sampling hard-to-reach international migrant populations in high-income countries .…”

“…As recommended in the RDSAT 7.1 User Manual, estimates of the number of waves required for equilibrium used the default convergence radius of 0.02 . Results are reported based on the criteria in the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology for RDS Studies (STROBE-RDS) checklist (White et al 2015).…”

Using IBBS Survey Data and Stakeholder Consensus to Estimate Population Size of Female Sex Workers in Three South African Cities: Results and Recommendations From the 2013-14 South Africa Health Monitoring Survey (Preprint)

“…Laboratory and statistical analysis of biological and behavioral survey data followed the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) RDS guidelines [20], and the full description of laboratory methods has been provided in the SAHMS final report [2].…”

Incentives and barriers to HIV testing in men who have sex with men in a metropolitan area in Brazil

“…RDS begins with members of the target community ("seeds"), selected by the researchers; they in turn recruit a limited number of community members who continue the recruitment process. RDS is well enough known that a set of STROBE guidelines have been published specifying best practices 17 . Chains of recruiters and recruits are linked with uniquely numbered coupons which permit tracking of chains, assure recruitment and eligibility and reduce masking 14,16,18,19 .…”