title: Promoting Retention: African American Older Adults in a Research Volunteer Registry.
abstract: Objectives:The objectives of this study were to evaluate the capability of a research volunteer registry to retain community-dwelling African American older adults, and to explore demographic and health factors associated with retention.Method:A logistic regression model was used to determine the influence of demographics, health factors, and registry logic model activities on retention in a sample of 1,730 older African American adults.Results:Almost 80% of participants active in the volunteer research registry between January 2012 and June 2015 were retained. Employment, being referred to research studies, a higher number of medical conditions, and more follow-up contacts were associated with an increased likelihood of retention. Older age, more months in the registry, and more mobility problems decreased the likelihood of retention.Discussion:These results suggest the Michigan Center for Urban African American Aging Research logic model promotes retention through involving older African American adults in research through study referrals and intensive follow-up. The loss of participants due to age- and mobility-related issues indicate the registry may be losing its most vulnerable participants.
authors.affiliation: Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.
authors.forename: LaToya N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.affiliation: Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Ficker
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
authors.forename: Letha A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Chadiha
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
authors.forename: Carmen R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Green
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
authors.forename: James S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.affiliation: Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Lichtenberg
keywords: African American; older adults; research volunteer registry; retention