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IDENTIFYING RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION ISSUES FOR THE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S STUDY
Citation:
LOBDELL, D. T., P Mendola, AND S. Gilboa. IDENTIFYING RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION ISSUES FOR THE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S STUDY. Presented at 17th Annual Society for Epidemiologic Research, Salt Lake City, Utah, June 14-15, 2004.
Description:
Recruitment and Retention Issues for the National Children's Study
Danelle T Lobdell1, Suzanne Gilboa2, Pauline Mendola1 (1US EPA, NHEERL; 2UNC Chapel Hill)
A better understanding of the most effective recruitment techniques and retention strategies for longitudinal, community-based, children's environmental health studies like the National Children's Study (NCS) is needed. A series of 18 focus groups were conducted across the U.S. in February 2003. Pregnant women and expectant couples, parents of disabled and non-disabled children, healthcare providers, and community leaders discussed recruitment and retention strategies. The need for monetary incentives for participation and retention was a common theme for all stakeholders, but there was divergence on the appropriate amount of money and timing of incentives. Venous blood samples and baby teeth were the biologic samples that caused the most concern among parents and pregnant women. Collection of other samples - hair, urine was generally acceptable in these groups. Most were not opposed to genetic testing. For recruitment, most pregnant women and parents felt the study should emphasize both individual as well as overall public health benefits and that both components would influence their willingness to enroll their child. Health care providers noted concerns about liability issues and suggested strategies to involve routine practice with research activities. Community leaders wanted to be informed partners with the research team and wanted input throughout study planning and implementation. Focus group results will help with the plan and design protocols for the NCS to maximize participation while minimizing selection bias and loss to follow-up.
This is an abstract of a proposed presentation and does not necessarily reflect EPA policy.
Dr. Danelle Lobdell is an epidemiologist currently working as a Post Doctoral Fellow at the United States Environmental Protection Agency working in the Epidemiology and Biomarkers Branch. Her main areas of research focus on reproductive and perinatal epidemiology. Dr. Lobdell's training was conducted at the University at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences where she obtained her doctoral degree in Epidemiology and Community Health. Dr. Lobdell has received numerous awards from her dissertation work including the Dean's Award from the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, the Saxon Graham Award (the departmental award for excellence in epidemiologic research), and the 2002 student prize paper award from the Society of Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology (an international society).