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Observational Study
. 2025 Mar;54(2):164-169.
doi: 10.1016/j.jogn.2024.11.008. Epub 2025 Jan 16.

Integration of Peer Navigators Into Longitudinal Research

Carla M Bann, Jamie E Newman, Leslie Clarke, Sandra Russell, Megan Dhawan, Traci Beiersdorfer, Sara DeMauro, Deanne Wilson-Costello, Myriam Peralta-Carcelen, Stephanie Merhar
Observational Study

Integration of Peer Navigators Into Longitudinal Research

Carla M Bann et al. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2025 Mar.

Abstract

Objective: To assess consent rates and reasons for refusing consent after the introduction of peer navigators into the Outcomes of Babies With Opioid Exposure (OBOE) Study.

Design: Secondary analysis of data from the OBOE Study, a multisite observational study.

Setting: Medical centers in Alabama, Ohio, and Pennsylvania (N = 4).

Participants: Data about the use of peer navigators were obtained from the primary study, including 1,255 mothers or caregivers who were approached regarding participation in the study.

Methods: We used χ2 tests to compare study consent rates and reasons for refusing consent before and after the use of peer navigators.

Results: Following the addition of peer navigators, study consent rates significantly improved (29% of 852 before vs. 38% of 403 after; p = .001), and the percentage of potential participants who indicated that they were not interested in sharing information for research significantly decreased (41% of 247 vs. 26% of 115; p = .005).

Conclusion: We demonstrate the potential effect of peer navigators on consent and interest in sharing information for research in a longitudinal research study. We recommend the inclusion of peer navigators in studies with high-risk populations.

Keywords: informed consent; neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome; opioids; patient enrollment; pregnancy; prenatal drug exposure; recruitment.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest The authors report no conflicts of interest or relevant financial relationships.

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