Health Disparities
Pragmatic Recruitment Strategies for a mHealth Smoking Cessation Intervention for Sexual and Gender Minorities: SmokefreeSGM Feasibility Trial Samuel Tundealao* Samuel Tundealao Irene Tamí-Maury Rebecca Klaff Phoenix Matthews
Introduction: SmokefreeSGM, a text-based smoking cessation intervention, was developed to address the high prevalence of cigarette smoking among sexual and gender minorities (SGM). We implemented a pragmatic recruitment strategy for our feasibility trial to enroll a study sample representative of this hard-to-reach population. This manuscript outlines the strategies we employed to recruit SGM smokers for our study and provides a framework for researchers interested in working with this population.
Methods: We utilized field recruitment (flyer distribution and presentations), research panels, and advertising on social media and internet sites (Facebook, Instagram, Google, SGM dating apps) to enroll 79 SGM smokers in our study. Recruitment (proportion of individuals who were screened) and enrollment rates (proportion of screened individuals who were enrolled) were calculated. Chi-squared tests (or Fisher’s exact, when appropriate) were used to compare socio-demographic and tobacco use characteristics by study arm. Intersectionality between the recruitment modalities and socio-demographic characteristics was also assessed.
Results: The recruitment rate for this feasibility trial was 20.5%, and the enrollment rate was 50.6%. Research panels yielded 53.2% of our sample, field recruitment yielded 21.5%, and advertisements on social media and internet sites yielded 25.3%.
Conclusions: Insights gained from this experience will play a pivotal role in our ability to successfully recruit participants in a future randomized controlled trial among a larger sample, inform the marketing of this program in a real-world setting, and work towards overcoming barriers to recruitment for SGM individuals in tobacco prevention and control research and public health at-large.