Recruitment and retention of Latino adolescents to a research study: lessons learned from a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE

To describe facilitators and barriers to participation and retention of Latino adolescents in a randomized clinical trial.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Participants were part of a randomized clinical trial designed to reduce HIV sexual risk behavior among Latino youth. Responses from 106 randomly selected respondents from the 3-month follow-up were content analyzed.

RESULTS

Four main facilitator patterns emerged: peer/family support, program incentives, commitment, and desire to help. Participation barriers included conflicts with other commitments, embarrassment, and lack of peer support.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Recruitment and retention of Latino adolescents in research studies is critical to building a research base for nursing practice.