Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-2013
Abstract
CONTEXT: The National Children's Study (NCS) is a longitudinal study of environmental influences on children's health. Recruitment of a representative birth cohort that will be followed until 21 years of age requires unique approaches across the nationwide study communities.
PURPOSE: To describe community outreach and engagement in preparation for household recruitment of women of childbearing age at a rural-classified NCS location that includes 4 adjacent Northern Plains counties spanning 2,500 square miles.
METHODS: Outreach and engagement methods focused on rural community characteristics. The team established an advisory council, conducted outreach meetings with agencies and groups, participated in local events, and collaborated with stakeholders. Study awareness was raised using radio announcements, local television stories, and widespread distribution of print materials through churches, businesses, and child care centers. Impact evaluation examined the number of stakeholder events by type. Outcome evaluation examined the number of households contacted for recruitment, numbers of age-eligible women who completed the screening, and exploration of whether women had heard about the study.
FINDINGS: Over 300 outreach events occurred, ranging from tribal council meetings to parade entries. Recruitment outcomes were as follows: (1) 80% of 14,700 non-vacant households were reached for potential recruitment; (2) screening interviews were conducted with 89% of the 5,800 age-eligible women identified; and (3) 53% of women who completed the screening had heard about the study
CONCLUSIONS: Outreach targeted to rural communities facilitated strong recruitment outcomes. Collaboration with the cooperative extension service was a unique rural asset that facilitated relevant activities. Participant retention is an ongoing priority.
Publication Title
The Journal of Rural Health
Volume
29
Issue
1
First Page
61
Last Page
68
Format
application/pdf
Language
en
DOI of Published Version
10.1111/j.1748-0361.2012.00418.x
PMID
23289656
Publisher
Wiley
Rights
© 2013 Wiley
Recommended Citation
Fahrenwald, Nancy L.; Wey, Betty; Martin, Ann; and Specker, Bonny L., "Community Outreach and Engagement to Prepare for Household Recruitment of National Children's Study Participants in a Rural Setting" (2013). Ethel Austin Martin Program Publications. 67.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/eam_pubs/67
Comments
This is the NIH-PA peer reviewed author manuscript. The version of record is published in (2013) J Rural Health, 29(1), 61–68. doi:10.1111/j.1748-0361.2012.00418.x.