Health Research Using Facebook to Identify and Recruit Pregnant Women Who Use Electronic Cigarettes: Internet-Based Nonrandomized Pilot Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Participant recruitment is often a challenge, particularly enrolling individuals with relatively rare characteristics. The wide reach of social media may provide a mechanism to overcome these challenges.

Objective

This paper aimed to provide information to researchers who seek to recruit participants from rare populations using social media for studies with demanding protocols. We aimed to describe a pilot study protocol that identified and enrolled pregnant women (second or third trimester) who were exclusive users of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). We have described the recruitment methods, time, and cost; examined advertisement types that were more or less successful; discussed participant retention and relationship management; and described the process o

SUBMITTER: Lee HH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6913691 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature