Survey of data collection methods and retention strategies in European birth cohorts of children and adults born very preterm

Recruitment and Retention Strategies for Parents Experiencing Vulnerability: Lessons from an Online Parenting Program

BACKGROUND

Supportive parenting programs can promote parent-child interactions and children's development. However, families experiencing vulnerability (e.g., low socioeconomic status) report barriers (e.g., transportation, distrust of researchers) to research participation, and attrition rates of 40% and higher have been reported in parenting research. In response, we conducted a longitudinal evaluation of a digital parenting program in a major metropolitan centre in western Canada and retained 99% of our sample.

AIM

Review recruitment and retention strategies employed in the First Pathways study and evaluate associations between sociodemographic (e.g., income) and psychosocial (e.g., parental depression) factors with recruitment and retention strategies.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

In collaboration with community agencies, we commenced recruitment of 100 families experiencing vulnerability (e.g., low-income) in June 2021. We utilized strategies to engage staff (e.g., presentations, gift cards, updates) and employed snowball sampling. Families recruited through community agencies were significantly more likely to experience vulnerability (e.g., low income and education, high adverse experiences) compared to families in the snowball sample. We incorporated strategies to minimize participant burden (e.g., choice of online or in-person meetings), promoted rapport (e.g., holiday texts, nonjudgmental environment), incorporated trauma-informed practices (e.g., sensitive inquiry), and demonstrated appreciation for participants' contributions (i.e., honorarium). Family experiences of vulnerability (i.e., low income, depressive symptoms, adversity) were correlated with higher participant rescheduling.

CONCLUSION

Nurses need knowledge of strategies to promote equitable access to research for families experiencing vulnerability. Digital programs with protocols designed to establish rapport, include trauma-informed practices, and minimize participant burden will likely optimize participation and retention.

Using Digital Tools to Study the Health of Adults Born Preterm at a Large Scale: e-Cohort Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Preterm birth is a global health concern. Its adverse consequences may persist throughout the life course, exerting a potentially heavy burden on families, health systems, and societies. In high-income countries, the first children who benefited from improved care are now adults entering middle age. However, there is a clear gap in the knowledge regarding the long-term outcomes of individuals born preterm.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the feasibility of recruiting and following up an e-cohort of adults born preterm worldwide and provide estimations of participation, characteristics of participants, the acceptability of questions, and the quality of data collected.

METHODS

We implemented a prospective, open, observational, and international e-cohort pilot study (Health of Adult People Born Preterm-an e-Cohort Pilot Study [HAPP-e]). Inclusion criteria were being an adult (aged ≥18 years), born preterm (<37 weeks of gestation), having internet access and an email address, and understanding at least 1 of the available languages. A large, multifaceted, and multilingual communication strategy was established. Between December 2019 and June 2021, inclusion and repeated data collection were performed using a secured web platform. We provided descriptive statistics regarding participation in the e-cohort, namely, the number of persons who registered on the platform, signed the consent form, initiated and completed the baseline questionnaire, and initiated and completed the follow-up questionnaire. We also described the main characteristics of the HAPP-e participants and provided an assessment of the quality of the data and the acceptability of sensitive questions.

RESULTS

As of December 31, 2020, a total of 1004 persons had registered on the platform, leading to 527 accounts with a confirmed email and 333 signed consent forms. A total of 333 participants initiated the baseline questionnaire. All participants were invited to follow-up, and 35.7% (119/333) consented to participate, of whom 97.5% (116/119) initiated the follow-up questionnaire. Completion rates were very high both at baseline (296/333, 88.9%) and at follow-up (112/116, 96.6%). This sample of adults born preterm in 34 countries covered a wide range of sociodemographic and health characteristics. The gestational age at birth ranged from 23+6 to 36+6 weeks (median 32, IQR 29-35 weeks). Only 2.1% (7/333) of the participants had previously participated in a cohort of individuals born preterm. Women (252/333, 75.7%) and highly educated participants (235/327, 71.9%) were also overrepresented. Good quality data were collected thanks to validation controls implemented on the web platform. The acceptability of potentially sensitive questions was excellent, as very few participants chose the "I prefer not to say" option when available.

CONCLUSIONS

Although we identified room for improvement in specific procedures, this pilot study confirmed the great potential for recruiting a large and diverse sample of adults born preterm worldwide, thereby advancing research on adults born preterm.