Successfully recruiting adults with a low socioeconomic position into community-based lifestyle programs: A qualitative study on expert opinions

Josine M. Stuber*, Cédric N.H. Middel, Joreintje D. Mackenbach, Joline W.J. Beulens, Jeroen Lakerveld

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

We explored experts’ perceived challenges and success factors in the recruitment of adults with a low socioeconomic position (SEP) for participation in community-based lifestyle modification programs. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 experienced project coordinators, based on a topic list that included experiences with recruitment, perceived barriers and success factors, and general views on recruitment strategies. Results revealed challenges related to the context of the program (e.g., limited program resources), psychosocial barriers of the participants (e.g., mistrust or skepticism), practical barriers (e.g., low literacy or having other priorities), and reasons to decline participation (e.g., lack of interest or motivation). Success factors were related to securing beneficial contextual and program-related factors (e.g., multi-layered recruitment strategy), establishing contact with the target group (e.g., via existing networks, community key-members), methods to increase engagement (e.g., personal approach and involvement of the target group in the program process) and making participation easier (e.g., providing transport), and providing various types of incentives. Concluding, the group of participants with low SEP covers a wide spectrum of individuals. Therefore, multiple recruitment strategies at multiple layers should be employed, and tailored. The lessons learned of those with hands-on experiences will help to enhance recruitment in future programs.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2764
JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume17
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Apr 2020

Funding

Funding: This research was conducted as part of the doctoral thesis of J.M.S. Her work, and that of C.N.H.M. and J.D.M., is supported through the Supreme Nudge program funded by the Dutch Heart Foundation and the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (CVON2016-04). J.D.M. is further funded by an NWO VENI grant on “Making the healthy choice easier–role of the local food environment” (grant number 451-17-032). Funders have no role in the design of the study and collection, analysis, and interpretation of data and in writing the manuscript, nor have they authority on the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

Keywords

  • Lifestyle intervention
  • Qualitative research
  • Recruitment
  • Socioeconomic status

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