Respondent-Driven Sampling Implementation in Rural Arkansas: Lessons Learned

• Activity Number: 258
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Monday, August 2, 2010 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Teaching of Statistics in the Health Sciences
• Author(s): Songthip Ounpraseuth*+ and Brenda Booth and Katharine Stewart
• Companies: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
• Keywords: Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) ; Cocaine users ; Sampling

Abstract

Respondent-driven sampling(RDS)was used to recruit participants in a study to test the efficacy of a theory-based sexual intervention for African-American cocaine users in two rural Arkansas counties. We discuss operational and logistical issues with use of RDS including recruitment, coupon distribution, community relations, and overall lessons learned. In ideal RDS sampling, continuation of waves is in motion until the required sample size is achieved. Here, a start-and-stop modification of RDS was implemented; recruitment was staggered or alternated between participating counties. Overall, RDS was efficient with respect to time and effective in obtaining a diverse sample of cocaine users. The keys for successful implantation of RDS is to identify subpopulations, seeds, develop coupons, proper incentive, site locations, and most importantly involve the target community.