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How different online recruitment methods impact on recruitment rates for the web-based coortesnaweb project: a randomised trial.
Blumenberg, Cauane; Menezes, Ana Maria Baptista; Gonçalves, Helen; Assunção, Maria Cecília Formoso; Wehrmeister, Fernando César; Barros, Aluísio J D.
Affiliation
  • Blumenberg C; Post-Graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, 1160 Marechal Deodoro St. - 3rd floor - 96020-220, Pelotas, Brazil. cauane.epi@gmail.com.
  • Menezes AMB; Post-Graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, 1160 Marechal Deodoro St. - 3rd floor - 96020-220, Pelotas, Brazil.
  • Gonçalves H; Post-Graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, 1160 Marechal Deodoro St. - 3rd floor - 96020-220, Pelotas, Brazil.
  • Assunção MCF; Post-Graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, 1160 Marechal Deodoro St. - 3rd floor - 96020-220, Pelotas, Brazil.
  • Wehrmeister FC; Post-Graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, 1160 Marechal Deodoro St. - 3rd floor - 96020-220, Pelotas, Brazil.
  • Barros AJD; Post-Graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, 1160 Marechal Deodoro St. - 3rd floor - 96020-220, Pelotas, Brazil.
BMC Med Res Methodol ; 19(1): 127, 2019 06 19.
Article in En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31217008
BACKGROUND: The number of web-based E-epidemiologic studies using online recruitment methods is increasing. However, the optimal online recruitment method in terms of maximizing recruitment rates is still unknown. Our aim was to compare the recruitment rates of three online recruitment methods and to describe how these rates differ according to individual's socioeconomic and demographic factors. METHODS: A total of 2394 members of the 1993 Pelotas birth cohort that provided an e-mail address, a Facebook name, and a WhatsApp number during a face-to-face follow-up were randomly allocated to be recruited by e-mail, Facebook or WhatsApp (798 individuals per method). This was a parallel randomised trial applying a block randomisation (block size = 3). Between January and February 2018, we sent messages inviting them to register into the web-based coortesnaweb platform. Recruitment rates were calculated for each method, and stratified according to the individual's socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. We also analysed absolute and relative inequalities on recruitment according to schooling and socioeconomic position. RESULTS: Out of the 2394 individuals analysed, 642 registered into the platform. The overall recruitment rate was 26.8%. Recruitment rates for women were almost 10 percentage points higher compared to men. Facebook was the most effective recruitment method, as 30.6% of those invited through the social network were recruited. Recruitment rates of e-mail and WhatsApp were similar (recruitment rate = 24.9%). E-mail and Facebook were the most effective recruitment methods to invite highly educated and wealthier individuals. However, sending e-mails to recruit individuals also reflected in the highest inequalities according to schooling and socioeconomic position. In contrast, the lowest inequalities according to socioeconomic position were observed using Facebook. CONCLUSIONS: Facebook was the most effective online recruitment method, also achieving the most equitable sample in terms of schooling and socioeconomic position. The effectiveness of online recruitment methods depends on the characteristics of the sample. It is important to know the profile of the target sample in order to decide which online recruitment method to use. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials, identifier: RBR-3dv7gc , retrospectively registered in 10 April 2018.
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Full text: 1 Collection: 01-internacional Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Social Class / Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Patient Selection / Internet / Educational Status Type of study: Clinical_trials / Prognostic_studies Aspects: Determinantes_sociais_saude / Equity_inequality Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: America do sul / Brasil Language: En Journal: BMC Med Res Methodol Journal subject: MEDICINA Year: 2019 Document type: Article Affiliation country: Brazil Country of publication: United kingdom

Full text: 1 Collection: 01-internacional Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Social Class / Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Patient Selection / Internet / Educational Status Type of study: Clinical_trials / Prognostic_studies Aspects: Determinantes_sociais_saude / Equity_inequality Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: America do sul / Brasil Language: En Journal: BMC Med Res Methodol Journal subject: MEDICINA Year: 2019 Document type: Article Affiliation country: Brazil Country of publication: United kingdom