title: Web-based recruiting for health research using a social networking site: an exploratory study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recruitment of young people for health research by traditional methods has become more expensive and challenging over recent decades. The Internet presents an opportunity for innovative recruitment modalities.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the feasibility of recruiting young females using targeted advertising on the social networking site Facebook.
  
  
  METHODS
  We placed an advertisement on Facebook from May to September 2010, inviting 16- to 25-year-old females from Victoria, Australia, to participate in a health study. Those who clicked on the advertisement were redirected to the study website and were able to express interest by submitting their contact details online. They were contacted by a researcher who assessed eligibility and invited them to complete a health-related survey, which they could do confidentially and securely either at the study site or remotely online.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 551 females responded to the advertisement, of whom 426 agreed to participate, with 278 completing the survey (139 at the study site and 139 remotely). Respondents' age distribution was representative of the target population, while 18- to 25-year-olds were more likely to be enrolled in the study and complete the survey than 16- to 17-year-olds (prevalence ratio=1.37, 95% confidence interval 1.05-1.78, P=.02). The broad geographic distribution (major city, inner regional, and outer regional/remote) and socioeconomic profile of participants matched the target population. Predictors of participation were older age, higher education level, and higher body mass index. Average cost in advertising fees per compliant participant was US $20, making this highly cost effective.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results demonstrate the potential of using modern information and communication technologies to engage young women in health research and penetrate into nonurban communities. The success of this method has implications for future medical and population research in this and other demographics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Royal Women's Hospital, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
authors.forename: Yeshe
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fenner
authors.forename: Suzanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Garland
authors.forename: Elya E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Yasmin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jayasinghe
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fletcher
authors.forename: Sepehr N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Tabrizi
authors.forename: Bharathy
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gunasekaran
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Wark
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D060756:Social Networking; D055815:Young Adult