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Church rosters: is this a viable mechanism for effectively recruiting African Americans for a community-based survey?

Publication ,  Journal Article
Carter-Edwards, L; Fisher, JT; Vaughn, BJ; Svetkey, LP
Published in: Ethn Health
February 2002

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this report is to describe the process, results, and implications in the phone recruitment of African Americans through church rosters for a survey of diet-and blood pressure-related awareness and hypertension prevalence. DESIGN: The survey was conducted using a non-probability sample of churches and a random selection of participants from church rosters. Recruitment strategies included frequent contact with pastors and church representatives, presentations, standard and tailored recruitment approaches, and bi-annual progress reports. Church representatives provided the rosters and assisted in arranging interviews, which were conducted at church or the participants' homes. RESULTS: Of 742 randomly selected, 315 (42.4%) were ineligible because of an unavailable or unreachable number, a move, discontinued church membership, death, or other reasons. Of the 344 eligible, 45.8% participated, 30.2% refused, 4.4% agreed to participate but did not, and 19.6% were incompletes (called less than three times before recruitment was terminated). Among participants, 70.4% were female, 58.2% had completed college, and the age range was 19-91 years. The survey's sample size goal of 196 was met. CONCLUSIONS: In this study population, over 45% who were eligible participated. Rapport established with church representatives and congregations was critical to the sampling process. Using church rosters can be a low-cost, effective recruitment tool. However, key factors to consider when recruiting African Americans in this manner include: trust, study eligibility criteria, roster accuracy, and time, and generalizability.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Ethn Health

DOI

ISSN

1355-7858

Publication Date

February 2002

Volume

7

Issue

1

Start / End Page

41 / 55

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Religion
  • Public Health
  • Prevalence
  • Patient Selection
  • North Carolina
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Hypertension
  • Humans
  • Health Surveys
 

Citation

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Carter-Edwards, L., Fisher, J. T., Vaughn, B. J., & Svetkey, L. P. (2002). Church rosters: is this a viable mechanism for effectively recruiting African Americans for a community-based survey? Ethn Health, 7(1), 41–55. https://doi.org/10.1080/13557850220146984
Carter-Edwards, Lori, John T. Fisher, Benjamin J. Vaughn, and Laura P. Svetkey. “Church rosters: is this a viable mechanism for effectively recruiting African Americans for a community-based survey?Ethn Health 7, no. 1 (February 2002): 41–55. https://doi.org/10.1080/13557850220146984.
Carter-Edwards L, Fisher JT, Vaughn BJ, Svetkey LP. Church rosters: is this a viable mechanism for effectively recruiting African Americans for a community-based survey? Ethn Health. 2002 Feb;7(1):41–55.
Carter-Edwards, Lori, et al. “Church rosters: is this a viable mechanism for effectively recruiting African Americans for a community-based survey?Ethn Health, vol. 7, no. 1, Feb. 2002, pp. 41–55. Pubmed, doi:10.1080/13557850220146984.
Carter-Edwards L, Fisher JT, Vaughn BJ, Svetkey LP. Church rosters: is this a viable mechanism for effectively recruiting African Americans for a community-based survey? Ethn Health. 2002 Feb;7(1):41–55.
Journal cover image

Published In

Ethn Health

DOI

ISSN

1355-7858

Publication Date

February 2002

Volume

7

Issue

1

Start / End Page

41 / 55

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Religion
  • Public Health
  • Prevalence
  • Patient Selection
  • North Carolina
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Hypertension
  • Humans
  • Health Surveys