This study sought to understand why individuals take part in and remain in studies with long follow-up periods. We surveyed women who were involved in a study of bacterial vaginosis (BV).
We found that women with a male sexual partner at enrolment and being younger than 30 years were more likely to leave the longer study before it was completed.
Women were also less inclined to join the longer study if they smoked, had lower educational levels, had a history of BV symptoms or genital warts. Women together with their regular female sexual partner were more likely to enrol in the longer study. During the longer study women reported high acceptability of study procedures and processes, knowledge increase about BV and referring others to the study.
Publications
Factors associated with participation and attrition in a longitudinal study of bacterial vaginosis in Australian women who have sex with women
Forcey D, Walker S, Vodstrcil L, Fairley CK, Bilardi J, Law M, Hocking JS, Fethers K, Petersen S, Bellhouse C, Bradshaw CS
(2014), PLOS ONE,