Abstract
Several recent studies have utilized respondent-driven sampling (RDS) methods to survey hidden populations such as commercial sex-workers, men who have sex with men (MSM) and injection drug users (IDU). Few studies, however, have provided a direct comparison between RDS and other more traditional sampling methods such as venue-based, targeted or time/space sampling. The current study sampled injection drug users in three U.S. cities using RDS and targeted sampling (TS) methods and compared their effectiveness in terms of recruitment efficiency, logistics, and sample demographics. Both methods performed satisfactorily. The targeted method required more staff time per-recruited respondent and had a lower proportion of screened respondents who were eligible than RDS, while RDS respondents were offered higher incentives for participation.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | i29-i38 |
| Journal | Journal of Urban Health |
| Volume | 83 |
| Issue number | 7 SUPPL. |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Nov 2006 |
Funding
This study was supported in part by grants PA 04 - 017 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The authors wish to thank two anonymous reviewers for their comments as well as Abu Abdul-Quader and the CDC - National HIV Behavioral Surveillance project staff for guidance and technical assistance.
Keywords
- Hidden populations
- Injection drug use
- Respondent-driven sampling
- Sampling methodology
- Targeted sampling
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health(social science)
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Urban Studies