Effective Recruitment Strategies for Underrepresented Adults With Arthritis in a Telephone-Delivered Walk With Ease Program

This study describes the recruitment strategies for a 6-week telephone-delivered walking program for adults with arthritis, enrollment yields per strategy, and differences in participant sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., age, income, and race) across strategies. Adults with arthritis were recruited to participate in a clinical trial examining the effects of a telephone-delivered Walk With Ease (WWE) program. Enrollment yield was calculated as the ratio of participants randomized by recruitment strategy. Enrollment yields by each recruitment method were compared between age (<65 years and ≥65 years), income (<$66,990 and ≥$66,990), and race (Black and Non-Black). Participants (n = 267) were primarily female (92%) and Black (60%) with an average age of 64.1 ± 9.4 years and an average BMI of 34.2 ± 7.7kg/m². The most successful recruitment strategies were Facebook (32%), radio advertisements (24%), word of mouth (13%), and community events or organizations (10%). There was no difference in recruitment strategies by age group; however, for Black and lower income participants, the top recruitment strategy was radio advertisements (39% and 28%, respectively). Facebook was the most effective recruitment strategy among the sample population, followed by radio advertisements and word of mouth. Radio advertisements were more effective at recruiting Black and lower income participants, and Facebook remained the most effective recruitment strategy among non-Black and higher-income participants. The approach to recruitment and strategies used may differ depending on the population of interest. Public health practitioners can use these results to tailor their recruitment strategies based on the priority population.