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. 2024 Mar;17(3):421-429.
doi: 10.1016/j.jiph.2024.01.004. Epub 2024 Jan 9.

Motivation to participate and attrition factors in a COVID-19 biobank: A qualitative study

Laura Jalbert  1 , Anne-Sophie Hautin  2 , Marie Baron  3 , Ève Dubé  4 , Myriam Gagné  5 , Catherine Girard  6 , Catherine Larochelle  7 , Annie LeBlanc  1 , Maxime Sasseville  8 , Simon Décary  9 , Karine Tremblay  10
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Free article

Motivation to participate and attrition factors in a COVID-19 biobank: A qualitative study

Laura Jalbert et al. J Infect Public Health. 2024 Mar.
Free article

Abstract

Background: The Biobanque québécoise de la COVID-19 (Quebec Biobank for COVID-19, or BQC19) is a provincial initiative that aims to manage the longitudinal collection, storage, and sharing of biological samples and clinical data related to COVID-19. During the study, BQC19 investigators reported a high loss-to-follow-up rate. The current study aimed to explore motivational and attrition factors from the perspective of BQC19 participants and health care and research professionals.

Methods: This was an inductive exploratory qualitative study. Using a theoretical sampling approach, a sample of BQC19 participants and professionals were invited to participate via semi-structured interviews. Topics included motivations to participate; participants' fears, doubts, and barriers to participation; and professionals' experiences with biobanking during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results: Interviews were conducted with BQC19 participants (n = 23) and professionals (n = 17) from 8 clinical data collection sites. Motivations included the contribution to science and society in crisis, self-worth, and interactions with medical professionals. Reasons for attrition included logistical barriers, negative attitudes about public health measures or genomic studies, fear of clinical settings, and a desire to move on from COVID-19. Motivations and barriers seemed to evolve over time and with COVID-19 trends and surges. Certain situations were associated with attrition, such as when patients experienced indirect verbal consent during hospitalization. Barriers related to human and material resources and containment/prevention measures limited the ability of research teams to recruit and retain participants, especially in the ever-evolving context of crisis.

Conclusion: The pandemic setting impacted participation and attrition, either by influencing participants' motivations and barriers or by affecting research teams' ability to recruit and retain participants. Longitudinal and/or biobanking studies in a public health crisis setting should consider these factors to limit attrition.

Keywords: Biobank; COVID-19; Research attrition; Research participation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

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