Recruiting and Engaging Women of Reproductive Age with Obesity: Insights from A Mixed-Methods Study within A Trial

Sarah Louise Killeen (), David F. Byrne, Aisling A. Geraghty, Cara A. Yelverton, Douwe van Sinderen, Paul D. Cotter, Eileen F. Murphy, Sharleen L. O’Reilly and Fionnuala M. McAuliffe
Additional contact information
Sarah Louise Killeen: UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, National Maternity Hospital, D02 YH21 Dublin, Ireland
David F. Byrne: UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, National Maternity Hospital, D02 YH21 Dublin, Ireland
Aisling A. Geraghty: UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, National Maternity Hospital, D02 YH21 Dublin, Ireland
Cara A. Yelverton: UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, National Maternity Hospital, D02 YH21 Dublin, Ireland
Douwe van Sinderen: APC Microbiome Ireland, Biosciences Research Institute, National University of Ireland, T12 K8AF Cork, Ireland
Paul D. Cotter: APC Microbiome Ireland, Biosciences Research Institute, National University of Ireland, T12 K8AF Cork, Ireland
Eileen F. Murphy: Precision Biotics Ltd. (Novozymes Cork), Cork Airport Business Park, Kinsale Road, T12 D292 Cork, Ireland
Sharleen L. O’Reilly: UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, National Maternity Hospital, D02 YH21 Dublin, Ireland
Fionnuala M. McAuliffe: UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, National Maternity Hospital, D02 YH21 Dublin, Ireland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 21, 1-15

Abstract: Engaging women with obesity in health-related studies during preconception is challenging. Limited data exists relating to their participation. The aim of this study is to explore the experiences and opinions of women participating in a weight-related, preconception trial. This is an explanatory sequential (quan-QUAL) mixed-methods Study Within A Trial, embedded in the GetGutsy randomized controlled trial (ISRCTN11295995). Screened participants completed an online survey of eight questions (single or multiple choice and Likert scale) on recruitment, motivations and opinions on study activities. Participants with abdominal obesity (waist circumference ≥ 80 cm) were invited to a subsequent semi-structured, online focus group (n = 2, 9 participants) that was transcribed and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis, with a pragmatic epistemological approach. The survey (n = 102) showed the main research participation motivations were supporting health research (n = 38, 37.3%) and wanting health screening (n = 30, 29.4%). Most participants were recruited via email (n = 35, 34.7%) or social media (n = 15, 14.7%). In the FGs, participants valued flexibility, convenience and. research methods that aligned with their lifestyles. Participants had an expanded view of health that considered emotional well-being and balance alongside more traditional medical assessments. Clinical trialists should consider well-being, addressing the interconnectedness of health and incorporate a variety of research activities to engage women of reproductive age with obesity.

Keywords: mixed-methods; SWAT; qualitative; recruitment; obesity; women’s health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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