Lessons Learned from Using Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS) To Assess Sexual Risk Behaviors among Kenyan Young Adults Living in Urban Slum Settlements: A Process Evaluation

Citation

Jennings Mayo-Wilson, Larissa; Mathai, Muthoni; Yi, Grace T.; Mak'anyengo, Margaret O.; Davoust, Melissa; Massaquoi, Massah L.; Baral, Stefan D.; Ssewamala, Fred M.; & Glass, Nancy E. (2020). Lessons Learned from Using Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS) To Assess Sexual Risk Behaviors among Kenyan Young Adults Living in Urban Slum Settlements: A Process Evaluation. PLOS ONE, 15(4), e0231248. PMCID: PMC7147752

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) is a peer-referral sampling methodology used to estimate characteristics of underserved groups that cannot be randomly sampled. RDS has been implemented in several settings to identify hidden populations at risk for HIV, but few studies have reported the methodological lessons learned on RDS design and implementation for assessing sexual risk behaviors in marginalized youth.
METHODS: We used RDS to recruit N = 350 young adults, aged 18 to 22, who were living in urban slum settlements in Nairobi, Kenya. A structured survey was used to assess sexual risk behaviors. Twenty seeds were selected and asked to recruit up to three eligible peers. We used small monetary incentives and a three-day recruitment coupon with sequential numbers linking recruiters to their recruits.
RESULTS: Data collection was completed in 8 days with a maximum chain length of 6 waves. Each seed yielded 16 to 21 eligible recruits. Three (15%) seeds were unproductive and were replaced. RDS benefits were high identification rates (90% coupons returned per coupons given), high eligibility rates (100% eligible recruits per coupons returned), and high efficiency (~39 eligible recruits per day). 44% of the sample was female. Most recruits (74%) reported being "friends" for 7+ years with their recruiter. RDS overcame feasibility concerns of household-, clinic-, and school-based sampling methodologies in that underserved youth who were unemployed (68%), out of school (48%), ethnic minorities (26%), and having prior residential instability (

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0231248

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2020

Journal Title

PLOS ONE

Author(s)

Jennings Mayo-Wilson, Larissa
Mathai, Muthoni
Yi, Grace T.
Mak'anyengo, Margaret O.
Davoust, Melissa
Massaquoi, Massah L.
Baral, Stefan D.
Ssewamala, Fred M.
Glass, Nancy E.

Article Type

Regular

PMCID

PMC7147752

Continent/Country

Kenya

ORCiD

Mayo-Wilson - 0000-0001-9349-2283