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Successfully Recruiting Black and Hispanic/Latino Adolescents for Sexually Transmitted Infection and HIV Prevention Research

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Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Disparities in rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV between Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino adolescents and their white counterparts are well documented. Researchers may encounter notable challenges recruiting Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino adolescents for sexual risk reduction studies. In this article, we present information to assist with planning, implementing, and evaluating recruitment and retention strategies. We also provide practical examples of challenges and solutions from three STI/HIV epidemiologic or prevention intervention studies with different study purposes and populations. Researchers can use this information to aid proposal development, create or refine a recruitment/retention protocol before implementation, and troubleshoot challenges during implementation.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the participating organizations, community members, adolescents, and study staff members for their contributions to the success of the research studies.

Funding

Two authors were awarded CDC Minority AIDS Research Initiative grants to conduct studies described in this article (Y. Lanier, U01PS005121; B. Brawner, U01PS003304). E. Bradley was supported by an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education postdoctoral research fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS E-45, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA

    Erin L. P. Bradley & Madeline Y. Sutton

  2. New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing, 433 First Ave, Room 406, New York, NY, 10003, USA

    Yzette Lanier

  3. Department of Health Promotion and Physical Education, Kennesaw State University, 290 Kennesaw State University Road, MD 0301, Kennesaw, GA, 30144, USA

    Afekwo M. Ukuku Miller

  4. Department of Family and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, 418 Curie Blvd., Room 419, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-4217, USA

    Bridgette M. Brawner

  5. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Morehouse School of Medicine, 720 Westview Dr, Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA

    Madeline Y. Sutton

Authors
  1. Erin L. P. Bradley
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  2. Yzette Lanier
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  3. Afekwo M. Ukuku Miller
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  4. Bridgette M. Brawner
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  5. Madeline Y. Sutton
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Erin L. P. Bradley.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

All procedures were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed Consent

Participants provided informed consent (or assent, if minors) prior to enrolling in the study.

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The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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Bradley, E.L.P., Lanier, Y., Ukuku Miller, A.M. et al. Successfully Recruiting Black and Hispanic/Latino Adolescents for Sexually Transmitted Infection and HIV Prevention Research. J. Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities 7, 36–44 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-019-00631-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-019-00631-7

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