title: Tracking high-risk adolescents longitudinally.
abstract: Longitudinal tracking methods rarely have been documented. A discussion is provided here of tracking methods and strategies used in assessing the effectiveness of an AIDS prevention intervention with high-risk adolescents over four years. We demonstrated an ability to follow 92% of a sample of unstable youths in a difficult urban environment. Successful recontacting of youths depended on the structure of the project in the recruitment phases, strategic choice of interviewers, a cost-effective payment schedule and other motivators, knowledge of appropriate social service agencies that could provide information on youths, and methods to elicit cooperation. Confidentiality and other ethical issues are discussed.
authors.affiliation: HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, Columbia University.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gwadz
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Rotheram-Borus
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D002648:Child; D016358:Contact Tracing / Q000379:methods*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009515:New Jersey / Q000453:epidemiology; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012947:Social Work