Retention of Ethnic Participants in Longitudinal Studies.

We aimed to identify effective participant retention strategies utilized in longitudinal studies of ethnic groups, specifically those from South Asian and Chinese communities. We conducted a systematic review of the literature focusing on the retention of ethnic minorities in longitudinal studies, up until April 2017. Only peer-reviewed research was included. 11,316 citations were retrieved, of which 4808 were duplicates and 51 met the inclusion criteria. Financial incentives, involving key community members, flexible scheduling, developing trust and personal connections with participants, and having extensive participant contact information are key facilitators. We also describe our extensive experience of retaining South Asian and Chinese participants in longitudinal studies. Key retention strategies for these groups include involving family members, informing participants about potential personal and community benefits, being flexible in how and when the interviews are conducted, and providing multiple language options. There is little published evidence or direction regarding how to retain study participants from South Asian or Chinese communities. However, there can be some learning from studies focused on other ethnic groups. Establishing an evidence-based approach, including facilitators and barriers to retention of these groups in longitudinal studies would help to determine study feasibility, validity, and ultimately to reduce health disparities among South Asian or Chinese communities.

Gender-based challenges faced by older Sikh women as immigrants: recognizing and acting on the risk of coronary artery disease.

Gender and ethnocultural affiliation can influence people's health beliefs and their ability to make behavioural changes associated with risk reduction. The authors undertook a series of grounded theory studies aimed at describing and explaining how gender and ethnocultural affiliation influence the process that people undergo when faced with the need to make behavioural changes to reduce the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Here, they describe the gender-based influences associated with managing CAD risk in a small sample of older Sikh immigrants to Canada. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, using an interpreter when necessary. Interviews were audiotaped to enable verification of interpretation and transcription. Data were analyzed using constant comparative methods. The core variable that emerged in the series of studies was "meeting the challenge." The process of managing CAD risk included pre-diagnosis or event, liminal or changing self, and living with CAD. Intra-, inter-, and extrapersonal factors as well as sociodemographic characteristics influenced the participants' ability to meet the challenge of managing CAD risk. Health-care providers and policy-makers have a responsibility to work with ethnocultural communities in order to (1) enhance the ability of health-care providers to provide ethnoculturally sensitive care, and (2) develop ethnoculturally relevant resources to enable health promotion and disease prevention. The ultimate aim is to improve health outcomes for Sikh immigrants as vulnerable members of society.