Challenges in the retention of adolescent males in jail-based studies with post incarceration follow-up

Retention rates play an important role in the generalizibility of a study. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies at the New York Academy of Medicine has a storefront location in NYC which recruits and enrolls study participants for multiple studies. There are two levels of engagement with the study participants; both outreach and in-house study staff are integral to recruitment, enrollment and follow-up process. In a recent intervention study aimed at reducing HIV risk behaviors, drug use, and recidivism among incarcerated adolescent males, several avenues of contact were used to optimize follow-up. Follow-up with participants' one year post release proved challenging, as locator information obtained at enrollment was often unreliable. Study staff utilized several tools to aid in maintaining contact with study participants up to the 12-month post incarceration study interview: telephone calls, reminder postcards, home visits, on-line databases of jail and prison populations and interim appointments scheduled at 3, 6, and 9-month intervals served to update the participant contact information, foster a relationship with the study staff and maintain study interest. The final outcome (407/529, 76.9%) was a direct result of the active outreach to study participants. Participants who were successfully contacted and completed follow-up a questionnaire had an overall mean contact rate of 22.3 attempts via telephone calls, family contacts and mailing reminders over the course of the follow-up period. Follow up protocols for individuals recently released from jail or prison need a high level of intensity and flexibility to maintain study participation levels.