Challenges and Opportunities in Recruiting and Retaining Underrepresented Populations Into Health Promotion Research
Open Access
- 1 March 2003
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in The Gerontologist
- Vol. 43 (suppl_1) , 37-46
- https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/43.suppl_1.37
Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate how recruitment strategies and program characteristics interact with participant characteristics to influence recruitment and retention in an exercise intervention study targeted to African American and White older adults with multiple chronic illnesses. Design and Methods: Characteristics of 273 referrals and 103 enrollees were analyzed in conjunction with programmatic decisions about recruitment design and eligibility criteria. Results: Eligible participants who did not enroll were younger and more likely to be under 60 and to self-report having diabetes. After 1 year, 70% of the enrolled participants remained in the program. Program attrition was not associated with randomization, race, or chronic illness but was associated with functional status, having a high school degree, and program site. Implications: Program design decisions can significantly influence the participation of underrepresented populations in exercise health promotion programs for older adults. In particular, group-specific efforts targeted to recruiting and retaining African Americans can be successful.Keywords
This publication has 37 references indexed in Scilit:
- Sensitivity and Specificity of the Mini-Mental State Examination in a Spanish-Speaking PopulationApplied Neuropsychology, 2000
- Antecedents and Consequences of Physical Activity and Exercise Among Older AdultsThe Gerontologist, 1995
- A Research Agenda for Health Education Among Underserved PopulationsHealth Education Quarterly, 1995
- Effect of recruitment strategy on types of subjects entered into a primary prevention clinical trialAnnals of Epidemiology, 1994
- Attitudes, knowledge, and stages of change: A survey of exercise patterns in older Australian women.Health Psychology, 1993
- Attitudes, knowledge, and stages of change: A survey of exercise patterns in older Australian women.Health Psychology, 1993
- Exercise Beliefs and Behaviors Amoung Older Empoyees: A Health Promotion TrialThe Gerontologist, 1992
- Assessing motivational readiness and decision making for exercise.Health Psychology, 1992
- Assessing motivational readiness and decision making for exercise.Health Psychology, 1992
- Factors Associated with Participation in a Senior Health Promotion ProgramThe Gerontologist, 1991