Context
The Neighborhoods and Networks study (N2) accompanied Black men who have sex with men (MSM) and trans women in the Chicagoland area, with quantitative interviews and HIV/STIs testing every six months from 2018 to 2022. The study was focused on social determinants of health, especially those affecting HIV prevention and treatment outcomes.
The study tracked places where participants lived and people with whom participants interacted, besides standard demographics, so we could understand our target populations’ behaviors and perceptions towards HIV treatment and prevention service providers.
Problem
Throughout the early stages of the pandemic, the response rates of our study fell from 70% to 13%, while our interviewing team hit high levels of turnover. The high levels of interviewer turnover forced us to constantly revisit our training methods, particularly since public health studies are highly regulated given their sensitive nature which leads to unintuitive protocols.
Solution
I proposed and implemented a new policy that offered all participants a Lyft ride on their way to our interviewing location, and a bus pass for their way back.
I also developed visual training aids, so we could effectively communicate our study protocols to the new interviewers, along with the updated transportation policy.
Results
Our response rates jumped from 13% to 32% during my time coordinating the study. I am also currently co-authoring two scientific articles with the Principal Investigators of the study, contributing to their Methods sections with my experience on the data collection and recruitment aspects of the study.
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