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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/38927

Title
A recruiting failure turned success (letter)
Author/Creator
Hure, Alexis J.;  Smith, Roger;  Collins, Clare E.
Institution
The University of Newcastle. Faculty of Health, School of Medicine and Public Health
Description
Background: This paper describes an attempt that was made to recruit child-bearing women into a nutrition-based research study and the knowledge that was gained when this approach was unsuccessful. The Assessment Before Children Develop Obesity Study was a cross- sectional survey which planned to follow-up women and children who had previously been, or were currently enrolled in the Mathematical Model of Pregnancy Study. Methods: Ethics approval was sought and obtained over an eight month period. After just six weeks it was obvious that our research objectives were not achievable because of an inadequate response rate (10%). This led to a review of the recruiting methodology as well as all written materials provided to potential participants. Advice was sought from those with expertise in the design of large public health campaigns and literature was consulted to refine our recruitment strategy. Results: In subsequent redevelopment, the Assessment Before Children Develop Obesity Study was merged with the Mathematical Model of Pregnancy Study to become what is now known as the Women and Their Children's Health Study. Consent rates improved from 10% and 35% in the Assessment Before Children Develop Obesity and Mathematical Model of Pregnancy studies respectively, to 61% in the Women and Their Children's Health Study (chi square test, p < 0.001). Successful recruitment for this research continues. The significant improvement in the participation rate is attributed to numerous factors including changes to the study name, recruiting method and information materials. Conclusion: By sharing our experience we aim to assist other researchers in avoiding the same pitfalls and offer effective strategies for improving response rates.
Relation
BMC Health Services Research Vol. 8
Publisher Link
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-8-64
Date
2008
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keyword(s)
nutrition-based research study;  child-bearing women;  public health campaigns;  research surveys;  response rates
Resource Type
journal article
Identifier
http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/38927
Identifier
ISSN:1472-6963
Reviewed
Reviewed
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Subject
"BMC Health Services Research"
 
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