Community Based Participatory Research: Recruitment and retention best practices and lessons learned from the NIH Community Child Health Network

For over seven years, our 5-site NIH Community Based Participatory Research network – the Community Child Health Network (CCHN) - has worked together to understand the persistent maternal and child health disparities among 2,000+ families by assessing stress and resilience in their home and neighborhood environments, via interviews, biomarkers, and neighborhood assessments. This CBPR study is an observational, longitudinal study; its scientific integrity depends on high rates of continued participation. Historically, many longitudinal studies demonstrate an increased rate of attrition among individuals and families most affected by health disparities – including those with very low income, minority racial and/or ethnic status, and low educational attainment. To address this, CCHN Community and Project Coordination Committees partnered to review and implement best practice recruitment and retention strategies. We will share these best practices and lessons learned, which include extending the timetable for study recruitment, refining our recruitment and retention strategies, hiring additional staff, developing participant-specific informational materials, convening a community father advisory group to develop recruitment and retention strategies specific to the challenges of father participation in the study, disseminating additional reminders, and maintaining project identity. We fully recognize that there are always areas for improvement and “one size does not fit all.” We feel a critical aspect is the input from field staff across all sites, who have a rich understanding of what is happening in the lives of the families and what is affecting their participation. We will share overall numbers and demographic specific information on recruitment, enrollment, and retention.