Respondent driven sampling is an effective method for engaging methamphetamine users in HIV prevention research in South Africa.

Journal: Drug and alcohol dependence

Volume: 143

Issue: 

Year of Publication: 2015

Affiliated Institutions:  Duke University, Duke Global Health Institute, Box , Durham, NC , USA. Duke University, Duke Global Health Institute, Box , Durham, NC , USA; Duke University, Sanford School of Public Policy, Box , Durham, NC , USA. Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Box , Tygerberg , South Africa. Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, South Africa. Duke University, Duke Global Health Institute, Box , Durham, NC , USA; Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Durham, NC , USA. Electronic address: christina.meade@duke.edu.

Abstract summary 

South Africa, in the midst of the world's largest HIV epidemic, has a growing methamphetamine problem. Respondent driven sampling (RDS) is a useful tool for recruiting hard-to-reach populations in HIV prevention research, but its use with methamphetamine smokers in South Africa has not been described. This study examined the effectiveness of RDS as a method for engaging methamphetamine users in a Cape Town township into HIV behavioral research.Standard RDS procedures were used to recruit active methamphetamine smokers from a racially diverse peri-urban township in Cape Town. Effectiveness of RDS was determined by examining social network characteristics (network size, homophily, and equilibrium) of recruited participants.Beginning with eight seeds, 345 methamphetamine users were enrolled over 6 months, with a coupon return rate of 67%. The sample included 197 men and 148 women who were racially diverse (73% Coloured, 27% Black African) and had a mean age of 28.8 years (SD=7.2). Social networks were adequate (mean network size >5) and mainly comprised of close social ties. Equilibrium on race was reached after 11 waves of recruitment, and after ≤3 waves for all other variables of interest. There was little to moderate preference for either in- or out-group recruiting in all subgroups.Results suggest that RDS is an effective method for engaging methamphetamine users into HIV prevention research in South Africa. Additionally, RDS may be a useful strategy for seeking high-risk methamphetamine users for HIV testing and linkage to HIV care in this and other low resource settings.

Authors & Co-authors:  Kimani Stephen M SM Watt Melissa H MH Merli M Giovanna MG Skinner Donald D Myers Bronwyn B Pieterse Desiree D MacFarlane Jessica C JC Meade Christina S CS

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations :  Abdul-Quader AS, Heckathorn DD, McKnight C, Bramson H, Nemeth C, Sabin K, Gallagher K, Des Jarlais DC. Effectiveness of respondent-driven sampling for recruiting drug users in New York City: findings from a pilot study. J. Urban Health. 2006;83:459–476.
Authors :  8
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.07.018
SSN : 1879-0046
Study Population
Men,Women
Mesh Terms
Adult
Other Terms
Drug abuse;HIV prevention;HIV/AIDS;Methamphetamine;Respondent driven sampling (RDS);South Africa.
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Country of Study
South Africa
Publication Country
Ireland