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Dance S, Dack C, Lasheras C, McMahon C, Scott P, Adams S. Exploring the use of workplaces to recruit "hard-to-reach" male drinkers to a survey on alcohol use and awareness of health messages. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:623. [PMID: 33789645 PMCID: PMC8011195 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10697-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lower socioeconomic status (SES) groups, particularly lower SES males, are at greater risk of alcohol-related harm than higher SES groups, despite drinking at the same level or less. However, they are rarely recruited for research through typical recruitment strategies. Consequently, limited evidence exists on patterns of alcohol use and effectiveness of public health messages for these groups. Using workplaces to recruit male drinkers from lower SES backgrounds may provide a feasible and accessible approach to research participation and enable improved understanding of alcohol use, drinking motives and acceptance of alcohol-related public health messages in this underrepresented and high-risk group. We investigated workplace-based strategies to recruit male drinkers from lower SES backgrounds. We also investigated their experiences and motivations for alcohol use, and acceptance of alcohol-related public health messages. Methods A feasibility element investigated the effectiveness of workplace-based strategies to recruit male drinkers from lower SES backgrounds in the south west of England. A pilot element investigated this population’s experiences and motivations for alcohol use, and acceptance of alcohol-related public health messages, through a mixed-methods survey. Results Feasibility results indicated that workplace-based recruitment strategies, including recruiting participants in person at their workplace and providing a financial incentive, effectively led to the recruitment of 84 male drinkers (70% recruitment rate), predominately from lower SES backgrounds, to a survey. Pilot results indicated that more than half of participants were at increasing risk of alcohol-related harm, and approximately one fifth engaged in weekly heavy episodic drinking. Participation in campaigns aimed at reducing alcohol use, and knowledge of government alcohol consumption guidelines, were low. Participants reported negative beliefs about alcohol including health effects, dependency and excess use, and financial and occupational effects. Positive beliefs about alcohol included relaxation, socialising, and enjoyment. Conclusions Workplace-based recruitment, using in-person recruitment and a financial incentive, may be a feasible strategy to recruit male drinkers from lower SES backgrounds. Pilot results may direct larger scale research aiming to understand alcohol use in this population and inform targeted public health messages. Workplace-based recruitment may represent a promising avenue for future research aiming to tackle inequalities in participation in alcohol research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Dance
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Charlotte Dack
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Celia Lasheras
- Public Health Department, Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bath, BA2 5RP, UK
| | - Cathy McMahon
- Public Health Department, Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bath, BA2 5RP, UK
| | - Paul Scott
- Public Health Department, Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bath, BA2 5RP, UK
| | - Sally Adams
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
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McDonald MD, Dombrowski SU, Skinner R, Calveley E, Carroll P, Elders A, Gray CM, Grindle M, Harris FM, Jones C, Hoddinott P. Recruiting men from across the socioeconomic spectrum via GP registers and community outreach to a weight management feasibility randomised controlled trial. BMC Med Res Methodol 2020; 20:249. [PMID: 33023501 PMCID: PMC7542377 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-020-01136-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Men, particularly those living in disadvantaged areas, are less likely to participate in weight management programmes than women despite similar levels of excess weight. Little is known about how best to recruit men to weight management interventions. This paper describes patient and public involvement in pre-trial decisions relevant to recruitment and aims to report on recruitment to the subsequent men-only weight management feasibility trial, including the: i) acceptability and feasibility of recruitment; and ii) baseline sample characteristics by recruitment strategy. Methods Men with BMI ≥30 kg/m2 and/or waist circumference ≥ 40 in. were recruited to the feasibility trial via two strategies; community outreach (venue information stands and word of mouth) and GP letters, targeting disadvantaged areas. Recruitment activities (e.g. letters sent, researcher venue hours) were recorded systematically, and baseline characteristics questionnaire data collated. Qualitative interviews (n = 50) were conducted three months post-recruitment. Analyses and reporting followed a complementary mixed methods approach. Results 105 men were recruited within four months (community n = 60, GP letter n = 45). Community outreach took 2.3 recruiter hours per participant and GP letters had an opt-in rate of 10.2% (n = 90/879). More men were interested than could be accommodated. Most participants (60%) lived in more disadvantaged areas. Compared to community outreach, men recruited via GP letters were older (mean = 57 vs 48 years); more likely to report an obesity-related co-morbidity (87% vs 44%); and less educated (no formal qualifications, 32% vs 10%, degree educated 11% vs 41%). Recruitment strategies were acceptable, a sensitive approach and trusting relationships with recruiters valued, and the ‘catchy’ study name drew attention. Conclusions Targeted community outreach and GP letters were acceptable strategies that successfully recruited participants to a men-only weight management feasibility trial. Both strategies engaged men from disadvantaged areas, a typically underserved population. Using two recruitment strategies produced samples with different health risk profiles, which could add value to research where either primary or secondary prevention is of interest. Further work is required to examine how these strategies could be implemented and sustained in practice. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03040518, 2nd February 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D McDonald
- Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Research Unit, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK. .,Physical Activity and Wellbeing Research Group, Curtin University, Perth, Australia. .,School of Psychology, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
| | - Stephan U Dombrowski
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.,Division of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | - Rebecca Skinner
- Division of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | - Eileen Calveley
- Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Research Unit, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | | | - Andrew Elders
- Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Research Unit, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - Cindy M Gray
- School of Social and Political Sciences, Institute of Health & Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Mark Grindle
- Institute for Health Research and Innovation, University of the Highlands and Islands, Inverness, UK
| | - Fiona M Harris
- Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Research Unit, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | - Claire Jones
- Health Informatics Centre, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Pat Hoddinott
- Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Research Unit, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
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Crombie IK, Irvine L, Williams B, Sniehotta FF, Petrie DJ, Jones C, Norrie J, Evans JMM, Emslie C, Rice PM, Slane PW, Humphris G, Ricketts IW, Melson AJ, Donnan PT, McKenzie A, Huang L, Achison M. Text message intervention to reduce frequency of binge drinking among disadvantaged men: the TRAM RCT. PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH 2018. [DOI: 10.3310/phr06060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Socially disadvantaged men are more likely to binge drink frequently and to experience high levels of alcohol-related harm.
Objectives
To test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a text message intervention in reducing the frequency of binge drinking among disadvantaged men.
Study design
A four-centre, parallel-group, pragmatic, individually randomised controlled trial was conducted. Randomisation was carried out using a secure remote web-based system. It was stratified by participating centre and recruitment method and restricted using block sizes of randomly varying lengths.
Setting
The study was conducted in the community. Members of the public helped to develop the study methods.
Participants
Participants were men aged 25–44 years who had ≥ 2 episodes of binge drinking (> 8 units of alcohol in a single session) in the preceding 28 days. Men were recruited from areas of high deprivation.
Interventions
An empirically and theoretically based text message intervention was delivered by 112 interactive text messages over a 12-week period. The control group received an attentional control comprising 89 text messages on general health.
Primary outcome measure
The primary outcome measure was the proportion of men consuming > 8 units of alcohol on ≥ 3 occasions (in the previous 28 days) at 12 months post intervention.
Results
The recruitment target of 798 was exceeded and 825 men were randomised. Retention was high and similar in the intervention (84.9%) and control (86.5%) groups. Most men in the intervention group engaged enthusiastically with the text messages: almost all (92%) replied to text messages and over two-thirds (67%) replied more than 10 times. The intervention was estimated to have had a modest, statistically non-significant effect on the primary outcome at the 12-month follow-up [odds ratio 0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.57 to 1.08]. This corresponds to a net reduction of 5.7% in regular binge drinking. Five secondary outcomes showed small non-significant and inconsistent effects on alcohol consumption, with one suggesting a positive effect and four suggesting an adverse effect. Both the short- and the long-term cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) analysis suggested that the brief intervention was dominated by a ‘do-nothing’ option. The intervention’s impacts on patterns of alcohol consumption, QALYs and downstream costs were inconsistent and uncertain.
Limitations
The study used an active control that, combined with the recruitment procedures and baseline assessments, could have biased the treatment effect towards the null. The measurement of alcohol consumption relied on self-reported drinking.
Conclusions
The trial has demonstrated that it is possible to recruit and retain large numbers of socially disadvantaged men in a research study. The text messages delivered a complex theoretically and empirically based intervention that fostered enthusiastic engagement with the key components of the behaviour change sequence. The intervention produced a modest, statistically non-significant effect on the primary outcome, with wide CIs. Further research is needed to reduce uncertainty about the treatment effect. The methods developed for this study provide a platform for the design and testing of interventions to reduce inequalities in health.
Future work
A future trial could reduce the uncertainty around the treatment effect of the intervention.
Trial registration
Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN07695192.
Funding
This study was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme and will be published in full in Public Health Research; Vol. 6, No. 6. See NIHR Journals Library website for further information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iain K Crombie
- Division of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Linda Irvine
- Division of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Brian Williams
- School of Health and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Falko F Sniehotta
- Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Dennis J Petrie
- Centre for Health Economics, Monash Business School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Claire Jones
- Health Informatics Centre, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - John Norrie
- Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Josie MM Evans
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | - Carol Emslie
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - Peter M Rice
- Division of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Peter W Slane
- Erskine Practice, Arthurstone Medical Centre, Dundee, UK
| | - Gerry Humphris
- School of Medicine, Medical and Biological Sciences, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | | | - Ambrose J Melson
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Peter T Donnan
- Division of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Andrew McKenzie
- Division of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Li Huang
- Centre for Health Policy, School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Marcus Achison
- Division of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
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Zemore SE, Karriker-Jaffe KJ, Mulia N, Kerr WC, Ehlers CL, Cook WK, Martinez P, Lui C, Greenfield TK. The Future of Research on Alcohol-Related Disparities Across U.S. Racial/Ethnic Groups: A Plan of Attack. J Stud Alcohol Drugs 2018; 79:7-21. [PMID: 29227222 PMCID: PMC5894859 DOI: 10.15288/jsad.2018.79.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Research suggests striking disparities in alcohol use, problems, and treatment across racial/ethnic groups in the United States. However, research on alcohol-related disparities affecting racial/ethnic minorities remains in its developmental stages. The current article aims to support future research in this growing field by highlighting some of the most important findings, questions, and approaches, focusing on psychosocial research. METHOD This article advances seven research needs (i.e., questions and topics meriting attention) that we believe are of crucial importance to the field. We draw on the existing literature to illuminate under-explored areas that are highly relevant to health intervention and that complement the field's existing focus. RESULTS Identified research needs include research that (a) better describes disparities in alcohol-related health conditions and their drivers, (b) identifies appropriate screening and brief intervention methods for racial/ethnic minorities, (c) investigates disparities in access to and use of alcohol treatment and support services, (d) examines the comparative efficacy of existing alcohol interventions and develops tailored interventions, (e) explores the impacts of specific alcohol policies across and within racial/ethnic groups, and (f) describes the full spectrum of alcohol-related harms and how and why these may vary across racial/ethnic groups. We also call for (g) continuing research to monitor disparities over time. CONCLUSIONS This article points to specific strategies for describing, explaining, intervening on, and monitoring some of the most substantial alcohol-related disparities. Conclusions outline methods and processes that may be advantageous in addressing these priorities, including the use of longitudinal designs; consideration of life course changes; attention to nontraditional intervention settings; and inclusion of disadvantaged populations in all aspects of research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nina Mulia
- Alcohol Research Group, Emeryville, California
| | | | - Cindy L. Ehlers
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
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Crombie IK, Irvine L, Falconer DW, Williams B, Ricketts IW, Jones C, Humphris G, Norrie J, Slane P, Rice P. Alcohol and disadvantaged men: A feasibility trial of an intervention delivered by mobile phone. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017; 36:468-476. [PMID: 28295794 PMCID: PMC5516166 DOI: 10.1111/dar.12455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS Disadvantaged men suffer substantial harm from heavy drinking. This feasibility study developed and evaluated the methods for a trial of a brief intervention delivered by text messages to disadvantaged men. It aimed to test the methods for recruitment and retention, to monitor engagement with the intervention and assess the overall acceptability of study methods. DESIGN AND METHODS Disadvantaged men aged 25-44 years who had ≥2 episodes of binge drinking (≥8 units in one session) in the preceding month were recruited. Two recruitment strategies were assessed: recruitment from general practice registers and by a community outreach strategy. Theoretically and empirically based text messages were tailored to the target group. RESULTS The study recruited 67 disadvantaged men at high risk of alcohol-related harm, exceeding the target of 60. Evaluation showed that 95% of text messages were delivered, and the men engaged enthusiastically with the intervention. Retention at follow up was 96%. Outcomes were successfully measured on all men followed up. This provided data for the sample size calculation for the full trial. Post-study evaluation showed high levels of satisfaction with the study. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS This study has shown that disadvantaged men can be recruited and follow-up data obtained in an alcohol intervention study. The study methods were acceptable to the participants. The men recruited were at high risk of alcohol-related harms. It also clarified ways in which the recruitment strategy, the baseline questionnaire and the intervention could be improved. The full trial is currently underway. [Crombie IK, Irvine L, Falconer DW, Williams B, Ricketts IW, Jones C, Humphris G, Norrie J, Slane P, Rice P. Alcohol and disadvantaged men: A feasibility trial of an intervention delivered by mobile phone. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017;36:468-476].
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Affiliation(s)
- Iain K. Crombie
- Division of Population Health SciencesUniversity of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Linda Irvine
- Division of Population Health SciencesUniversity of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Donald W. Falconer
- Division of Population Health SciencesUniversity of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Brian Williams
- School of Health and Social CareEdinburgh Napier UniversityEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Claire Jones
- Health Informatics CentreUniversity of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Gerry Humphris
- Bute Medical SchoolUniversity of St AndrewsSt AndrewsUnited Kingdom
| | - John Norrie
- Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit (ECTU)University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Peter Slane
- Arthurstone Medical CentreNHS TaysideDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Peter Rice
- Division of Neuroscience, School of MedicineUniversity of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
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