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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2022 Oct 24;19(21):13832.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph192113832.

Recruiting and Engaging Women of Reproductive Age with Obesity: Insights from A Mixed-Methods Study within A Trial

Sarah Louise Killeen  1 , David F Byrne  1 , Aisling A Geraghty  1   2 , Cara A Yelverton  1 , Douwe van Sinderen  3   4 , Paul D Cotter  3   5 , Eileen F Murphy  6 , Sharleen L O'Reilly  1   2 , Fionnuala M McAuliffe  1   3
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Recruiting and Engaging Women of Reproductive Age with Obesity: Insights from A Mixed-Methods Study within A Trial

Sarah Louise Killeen et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Engaging women with obesity in health-related studies during preconception is challenging. Limited data exists relating to their participation. The aim of this study is to explore the experiences and opinions of women participating in a weight-related, preconception trial. This is an explanatory sequential (quan-QUAL) mixed-methods Study Within A Trial, embedded in the GetGutsy randomized controlled trial (ISRCTN11295995). Screened participants completed an online survey of eight questions (single or multiple choice and Likert scale) on recruitment, motivations and opinions on study activities. Participants with abdominal obesity (waist circumference ≥ 80 cm) were invited to a subsequent semi-structured, online focus group (n = 2, 9 participants) that was transcribed and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis, with a pragmatic epistemological approach. The survey (n = 102) showed the main research participation motivations were supporting health research (n = 38, 37.3%) and wanting health screening (n = 30, 29.4%). Most participants were recruited via email (n = 35, 34.7%) or social media (n = 15, 14.7%). In the FGs, participants valued flexibility, convenience and. research methods that aligned with their lifestyles. Participants had an expanded view of health that considered emotional well-being and balance alongside more traditional medical assessments. Clinical trialists should consider well-being, addressing the interconnectedness of health and incorporate a variety of research activities to engage women of reproductive age with obesity.

Keywords: SWAT; mixed-methods; obesity; qualitative; recruitment; women’s health.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflict of interest

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram of the mixed-methods SWAT for the GetGutsy trial.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Themes and subthemes relating to taking part in research and recommendations for clinical trialists.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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