Strategies for Recruiting Migrants to Participate in a Sexual Health Survey: Methods, Results, and Lessons

Daniel Vujcich (), Graham Brown, Jo Durham, Zhihong Gu, Lisa Hartley, Roanna Lobo, Limin Mao, Piergiorgio Moro, Vivienne Pillay, Amy B. Mullens, Enaam Oudih, Meagan Roberts, Caitlin Wilshin and Alison Reid
Additional contact information
Daniel Vujcich: School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
Graham Brown: Centre for Social Impact, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Jo Durham: Centre for Healthcare Transformation, Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation, School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia
Zhihong Gu: Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland, West End, QLD 4101, Australia
Lisa Hartley: Centre for Human Rights Education, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
Roanna Lobo: School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
Limin Mao: Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Piergiorgio Moro: Multicultural Health Support Service, Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health, Richmond, VIC 3121, Australia
Vivienne Pillay: Ethnic Communities Council of WA, North Perth, WA 6006, Australia
Amy B. Mullens: Centre for Health Research, School of Psychology & Wellbeing, University of Southern Queensland, Ipswich, QLD 4305, Australia
Enaam Oudih: Relationships Australia South Australia, Hindmarsh, SA 5007, Australia
Meagan Roberts: School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
Caitlin Wilshin: School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
Alison Reid: School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 19, 1-25

Abstract: In this article, we describe the approaches taken to recruit adult migrants living in Australia for a sexual health and blood-borne virus survey (paper and online) and present data detailing the outcomes of these approaches. The purpose was to offer guidance to redress the under-representation of migrants in public health research. Methods of recruitment included directly contacting people in individual/organizational networks, social media posts/advertising, promotion on websites, and face-to-face recruitment at public events/venues. Search query strings were used to provide information about an online referral source, and project officers kept records of activities and outcomes. Descriptive statistical analyses were used to determine respondent demographic characteristics, proportions recruited to complete the paper and online surveys, and sources of referral. Logistic regression analyses were run to predict online participation according to demographic characteristics. The total sample comprised 1454 African and Asian migrants, with 59% identifying as female. Most respondents (72%) were recruited to complete the paper version of the survey. Face-to-face invitations resulted in the highest number of completions. Facebook advertising did not recruit large numbers of respondents. Same-sex attraction and age (40–49 years) were statistically significant predictors of online completion. We encourage more researchers to build the evidence base on ways to produce research that reflects the needs and perspectives of minority populations who often bear the greatest burden of disease.

Keywords: migrants; ethnic groups; surveys and questionnaires; health surveys; sexual health; research design; recruitment; community participation; social media (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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