Implementing Egocentric Network Sampling Recruitment Strategies with Underserved Latinas: Lessons Learned

PURPOSE: The large and growing migrant farm worker (MFW) community includes approximately 125 million people. Substance abuse and HIV/AIDS health disparities are on the rise among MFWs yet their health risk behaviors remain relatively unknown. Social networks have been recognized as a potential avenue for HIV prevention and drug use intervention. We will present our lessons learned when using egocentric network sampling recruitment strategies in a community-based sample of Latina MFWs. This project aims to reduce substance abuse and HIV risk behavior trajectories by promoting changes in four egocentric features: dyadic interactions, social network structures, social support, and social network stressors occurring at the relationship, social life and recreation, and neighborhood levels. The intervention was implemented for each egocentric network individually and included one 4-hour session focusing on developing group cohesion, HIV education, motivational enhancement, and goal setting; the development of a personal risk-reduction plan; broadcast of a television soap opera (telenovela); and peer counseling from community leaders using fotonovelas as a tool. METHOD: A project coordinator identified twenty female community leaders (a socially prominent and respected member of the community) from schools, child daycares, church and other community organizations. Respondent driven sampling techniques were used to configure each egocentric network. Community leaders (Level 1) were asked to contact three closest friends and invite them to the project. These friends (Level 2) were also asked to contact and invite 3 friends. These friends contacted the project coordinator. Each leader was provided 10 dollars for each friend who attended the intervention. For a total of 260 participants. RESULTS: We successfully recruited 20 egocentric networks of 13 women in ten months. We will present our lessons learned collected from interviews with a Project Coordinator, a Lay Health Advisor and 9 interviewers. For instance, community leaders actively promoted the attendance of their friends. In some cases, they used their $10 incentives to pay for the transportation of the egocentric network friends. We also identified that some popular members of an existing egocentric network can be considered a leader. In these cases, two networks (N=26 members) were linked by a leader. Some members did not recognize other members from their egocentric network by names. However, when they attended the intervention sessions, they expressed knowing these people but never asked their names. In many cases, additional friends contacted the project to express their interest to be part of the project. However, they were not able to be included in the project because the egocentric network of 13 people was already configured. These friends were not able to be included as leaders because they did not have many friends.

CONCLUSION: Egocentric network methodology is an effective method for recruiting hard to reach Latino women.