Retaining school children and families in community research: lessons from the Study of Children's Activity and Nutrition (SCAN).

Full Abstract

Retaining school-aged study participants poses a major challenge in any longitudinal research study. Dropouts produce bias in the remaining sample and this loss may affect study findings and their interpretation. Dominant factors that influence retention in pediatric research studies include family versus individual participation, patient management strategies of study personnel, knowledge about the condition or therapy, age and gender factors, credibility within the community, monetary incentives, and altruism. Eleven years after baseline assessment, Studies of Children's Activity and Nutrition boasts a 53% retention of the original biethnic cohort in San Diego. Retention occurred partly due to a trained measurement team which completed sequential observations primarily in family homes and implemented continuous participant follow-up procedures. Approaches for increasing student retention based on carefully designed studies and adherence indicators can assist researchers seeking maximum retention of school-aged participants.

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Author information

Author/s: Frank, Gail C (GC); Nader, Philip R (PR); Zive, Michelle Murphy (MM); Broyles, Shelia L (SL); Brennan, Jesse J (JJ);

Affiliation: University of California, Irvine, CA, USA. gcfrank@csulb.edu

Grants: R01HL52449 (Agency:United States NHLBI)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: The Journal of school health (J Sch Health), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Feb; vol 73 (issue 2) : pp 51-7

Dates: Created 2003/03/19; Completed 2003/06/05; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 12643019, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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