142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

Annual Meeting Recordings are now available for purchase

306138
Strategies for Retaining Youth in Longitudinal Research

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Jane Carmona, MPH , Social and Economic Research and Evaluation, ICF International, New York, NY
Gingi Pica, MPH , Social and Economic Research and Evaluation, ICF International, New York, NY
Tisha Tucker, MPH , Social and Economic Research and Evaluation, ICF International, New York, NY
Sara Bausch, MS , Social and Economic Research and Evaluation, ICF International, Durham, NC
Christine Walrath, PhD , Social and Economic Research and Evaluation, ICF International, New York, NY
Background: One of the principal challenges to the success of longitudinal studies is retaining participants, particularly with hard to reach populations such as youth.  Retaining youth is especially challenging given the rapidly changing technology landscape, frequent loss of interest, and the increasing demands on youth’s time. 

Methods: ICF International is conducting a quasi-experimental, mixed methods longitudinal comparison study for the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center in New York City. Data is gathered from 1400 youth via 20 minute phone surveys administered at six-month intervals for a period of three years.  Locating lost participants and obtaining high response rates from those easily found is challenging. To inform and maximize retention efforts, retention strategies were mapped against retention rates.  Effectiveness of retention activities was also evaluated via interviews with study participants and the retention team.  Barriers and facilitators to participation were documented and retention strategies were grouped into thematic categories and ranked by effectiveness.  

Results: Retention strategies such as text messaging, personalization of outreach, and frequent reminders increased retention rates. Text messaging was cited as the most effective retention strategy for obtaining high response rates. Barriers to participation were loss of interest in the study, competing demands for time, and conflicts with school or job(s).  Frequent text message reminders, incentives, and scheduling callbacks facilitated participation.

Conclusions: This study provides a concise description of low-cost and practical strategies that can be employed in studies with youth populations. Our findings contribute to the evidence base for successful retention strategies with youth in longitudinal research.

Learning Areas:

Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
List retention strategies for retaining youth in longitudinal studies. Discuss methods for evaluating the effectiveness of retaining youth in longitudinal research.

Keyword(s): Adolescents, Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have over four years of experience conducting research on multiple federally and privately funded programs focusing on chronic disease prevention, and research and evaluation of youth programs. My experience has included the development of strategies for conducting research with adolescent populations.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.