A Replicable Model of Recruitment for Longitudinal Research of Preterm Infants

A Feasibility Study to Assess Sleep and Subsequent Breast Milk Volume Among Mothers With Hospitalized Preterm Infants

BACKGROUND

Sleep is essential for optimal health, and disturbed postpartum sleep is associated with compromised infant attachment. The postpartum experience of mothers with preterm infants is unlike the biological norm, as they are separated from their infants and often express breast milk.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of conducting a clinical research study among women with hospitalized preterm infants. We also explored for associations between maternal sleep patterns and sleep-related psychological states and subsequent breast milk volume.

METHODS

Participants were recruited from Magee-Womens Hospital, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania New mothers completed daily sleep and pumping logs and scales to measure stress, trauma, depression, fatigue, and sleep quality.

RESULTS

A total of 78 women were screened, 18 women consented, and a total of 8 participants completed the study. Screening from the postpartum unit increased recruitment. The participants experience worsening sleep quality over time, moderate stress, and fatigue. Stress, postnatal depression, and fatigue are negatively associated with milk volume.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH

Postpartum recruitment with frequent follow-ups improved recruitment and retention. We present a preliminary association between maternal stress, fatigue, and depression, and subsequent breast milk volume. Sleep-related psychological states may negatively influence milk volume.

Using Facebook to Improve Participation Among 25-Year-Olds Enrolled in a Longitudinal Preterm Birth Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

Facebook is a popular social media platform used globally to keep connected and informed. The aims of this study were to determine the contribution of Facebook to the participation rate of young adults enrolled in a longitudinal cohort study, and to examine systematic differences in participants recruited through Facebook compared with those recruited through traditional methods.

METHODS

Potential participants comprised 297 consecutive survivors born extremely preterm (<28 weeks' gestation) or extremely low birth weight (<1000 g birth weight) in 1991-92 in the state of Victoria, Australia, and 260 contemporaneously recruited normal birth weight (>2499 g birth weight) controls who had participated previously in a prospective cohort study. At 25 years of age participants were approached initially via traditional methods (mail, telephone, texts), and subsequently by Facebook for those difficult to contact or locate.

RESULTS

Contact was attempted with 523 young adults via traditional methods and 49% (n = 255) agreed to participate. Of the 208 participants unable to be located or contacted via traditional methods, 153 were subsequently located via Facebook. Of these 82% (n = 125) responded promptly within a day of receiving the Facebook invite, and 41% (n = 63) ultimately participated. The participation rate increased from 49% (255 of 523) to 61% (318 of 523) with the addition of Facebook, an absolute increase of 12%. Participants recruited by Facebook were slightly older, had lower rates of school completion and lower cognitive score at 18 years of age compared with those recruited via traditional methods.

CONCLUSIONS

Using Facebook improved participation of young adults enrolled in this longitudinal preterm follow up study, 25 years after original recruitment.