Recruitment into antibody prevalence studies: a randomized trial of postcards vs. letters as invitations.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In a potential epidemic of an emerging infection, representative population-based serologic studies are required to determine the extent of immunity to the infectious agent, either from natural infection or vaccination. Recruitment strategies need to optimize response rates.

Methods

Within a seroepidemiologic study to determine the true burden of SARS-CoV2 infection in two Bay Area counties, we evaluated whether letter (L) or postcard (P) invitations with reminders were more effective at recruiting participant households. Using geographic, probability-based sampling, 9,999 representative addresses, split between Santa Clara and Solano counties, were randomized to receive an initial invitation (L or P); a randomized reminder mailing sent two weeks later to all non-

SUBMITTER: Ley C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10363298 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature