Exploring recruitment, willingness to participate, and retention of low-SES women in stress and depression prevention

Contains fulltext : 90907.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)Background Recruitment, willingness to participate, and retention in interventions are indispensable for successful prevention. This study investigated the effectiveness of different strategies for recruiting and retaining low-SES women in depression prevention, and explored which sociodemographic characteristics and risk status factors within this specific target group are associated with successful recruitment and retention. Methods The process of recruitment, willingness to participate, and retention was structurally mapped and explored. Differences between women who dropped out and those who adhered to the subsequent stages of the recruitment and retention process were investigated. The potential of several referral strategies was also studied, with specific attention paid to the use of GP databases. Results As part of the recruitment process, 12.1% of the target population completed a telephone screening. The most successful referral strategy was the use of patient databases from GPs working in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Older age and more severe complaints were particularly associated with greater willingness to participate and with retention. Conclusions Low-SES women can be recruited and retained in public health interventions through tailored strategies. The integration of mental health screening within primary care might help to embed preventive interventions in low-SES communities.8 p

Mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection. The European Collaborative Study

271 children born to HIV-infected mothers in 8 European centres are being followed up from birth in a multicentre, collaborative study. By June, 1988, 45% had been followed for over 1 year: 10 had developed AIDS or AIDS-related complex, all by the age of 9 months, of whom 5 had died. 22 other children had symptoms or signs suggestive of HIV infection; of these, 12 had immunological abnormalities, 9 of whom were infected. 5 children had problems not related to HIV, including 3 neonatal deaths. The other 234 children are immunologically normal and clinically well. The median age of antibody loss was 10.3 months, although 1 did not lose antibody until over 18 months. None lost antibody and then became and remained seropositive. Of 100 children followed for more than 15 months, 19 had persistent antibody, and 5 were antibody-negative but presumed to be infected because of virus isolation or antigen detection; these 5 children were clinically and immunologically normal. The estimated vertical transmission rate was 24%