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Title: Recruitment and retention strategies and methods in the HEALTHY study

Author
item DREWS, KIMBERLY - George Washington University
item HARRELL, JOANNE - University Of North Carolina
item Thompson, Deborah - Debbe
item MAZZUTO, SARA - George Washington University
item FORD, EILEEN - Temple University
item CARTER, M - University Of Pittsburgh Medical Center
item FORD, DEBORAH - University Of California
item YIN, ZENONG - University Of Texas
item JESSUP, ANN - University Of North Carolina
item ROULLETT, JEAN-BAPTISTE - Oregon Health & Science University

Submitted to: International Journal of Obesity
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2009
Publication Date: 8/1/2009
Citation: Drews, K.L., Harrell, J.S., Thompson, D.J., Mazzuto, S.L., Ford, E.G., Carter, M., Ford, D.A., Yin, Z., Jessup, A.N., Roullett, J. 2009. Recruitment and retention strategies and methods in the HEALTHY study. International Journal of Obesity. 33(Supp 4):S21-S28.

Interpretive Summary: HEALTHY was a 3-year middle school-based study to reduce modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes among youth. The study was conducted at seven centers across the country. This paper describes the recruitment and retention activities used by the study. Each center recruited six schools; eligibility was based on ability to enroll a sufficient number of mostly minority and lower income students. A variety of techniques were used to recruit 6th grade students from participating schools; participation continued through the 8th grade. Parents and students gave written consent to participate in health screenings. Parents received a letter describing the results of the health screening for their children after data collection in sixth and eighth grades. Retention of schools and students was critical for the success of the study and was encouraged through the use of financial incentives and other strategies. The use of multiple strategies was important for the success of recruitment and retention in the HEALTHY study.

Technical Abstract: HEALTHY was a 3-year middle school-based primary prevention trial to reduce modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes in youth. The study was conducted at seven centers across the country. This paper describes the recruitment and retention activities employed in the study. Schools and students were the focus of recruitment and retention. Each center was responsible for the recruitment of six schools; eligibility was based on ability to enroll a sufficient number of predominately minority and lower socioeconomic status students. Study staff met with district superintendents and school principals to verify the eligibility of schools, and to ascertain how appropriate the school would be for conducting the trial. Sixth grade students were recruited employing a variety of techniques; students and their parents did not know whether their school was randomized to the intervention or control arm. This cohort was followed through sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. In the eighth grade, an additional sample of students who were not originally enrolled in the study was recruited in a similar manner to participate in data collection to allow for cross-sectional and dose-response secondary analyses. Parents signed informed consent forms and children signed informed assent forms, as per the needs of the local Institutional Review Board. Parents received a letter describing the results of the health screening for their children after data collection in sixth and eighth grades. Retention of schools and students was critical for the success of the study and was encouraged through the use of financial incentives and other strategies. To a large extent, student withdrawal due to out-migration (transfer and geographical relocation) was beyond the ability of the study to control. A multi-level approach that proactively addressed school and parent concerns was crucial for the success of recruitment and retention in the HEALTHY study.