Recruiting HIV-positive Men Who have Sex with Men in a randomized control trial

Background: Sexual and ethnic minorities report disproportionately high HIV rates, but their participation in epidemiological studies remains low. Positive Connections is a randomized control trial comparing three HIV prevention interventions for Men Who have Sex with Men (MSM) in 6 U.S. epicenters. Recruitment strategies, implemented by local partner community-based organizations (CBO), led to a 74% retention rate among HIV-positive participants, twelve months later.

Methods: Researchers collected recruitment information from 1094 MSM at registration. Retention proportions, adjusted for drop-out, were obtained from surveys at baseline, post-test, 6- and 12-month follow-up. Men of color comprised 75% of the sample. Cross-sectional analyses were run at all time points, stratifying on race and serostatus.

Results: Recruitment methods included online/print advertising, recruitment through partner CBO, other CBO/health professionals, and participant social networks. Referral by a friend yielded the greatest number of men recruited, followed by partner CBO, newspapers/magazines and other health professional. African Americans preferred to be recruited through a friend, while Latinos preferred friends and partner CBOs. Whites responded to print media. HIV-positive men were mostly recruited through word-of-mouth. Friend, partner CBO and print media attracted HIV-negative men. Online Ads/Social Networking was the least successful strategy for recruitment but yielded the highest retention rate during follow-up. All other methods held their recruitment rates fairly constant throughout the retention period.

Conclusions: Consideration of recruitment and retention rates can improve the ability of organizations to accurately plan for interventions and reach their sample size goals at each time point.