title: Retention of Homeless Smokers in the Power to Quit Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Concerns about retention are a major barrier to conducting studies enrolling homeless individuals. Since smoking is a major problem in homeless communities and research on effective methods of promoting smoking cessation is needed, we describe strategies used to increase retention and participant characteristics associated with retention in smoking cessation study enrolling homeless adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  The parent study was a 2-group randomized controlled trial with 26-week follow-up enrolling 430 homeless smokers from emergency shelters and transitional housing units in Minneapolis/Saint Paul, MN, USA. Multiple strategies were used to increase retention, including conducting visits at convenient locations for participants, collecting several forms of contact information from participants, using a schedule that was flexible and included frequent low-intensity visits, and providing incentives. Participant demographics as well as characteristics related to tobacco and drug use and health status were analyzed for associations with retention using univariate and multivariate analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall retention was 75% at 26 weeks. Factors associated with increased retention included greater age; having healthcare coverage; history of multiple homeless episodes, lower stress level; and higher PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) score. A history of excessive drinking and drug use were associated with decreased retention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is possible to successfully retain homeless individuals in a smoking cessation study if the study is designed with participants' needs in mind.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN; Program in Health Disparities Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN;
authors.forename: Christina M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN; Program in Health Disparities Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN;
authors.forename: Faduma
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sharif
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN; Program in Health Disparities Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN;
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eischen
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN;
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN; Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
authors.forename: Hongfei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN; Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
authors.forename: Xianghua
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN; Program in Health Disparities Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN; Center for Health Equity, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN; Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN; kokuyemi@umn.edu.
authors.forename: Kolawole
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okuyemi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology