Abstract
This paper evaluates the effectiveness of respondent driven sampling (RDS) to sample males who have sex with males (MSM) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A major objective for conducting this survey was to determine whether RDS can be a viable sampling method for future routine serologic and behavioral surveillance of MSM as well as other socially networked, hard to reach populations in Bangladesh. We assessed the feasibility of RDS (survey duration; MSM social network properties; number and types of initial recruits) to recruit a diverse group of MSM, the efficacy of an innovative technique (systematic coupon reduction) to manage the implementation and completion of the RDS recruitment process and reasons why MSM participated or did not participate. The findings provide useful information for improving RDS field techniques and demonstrate that RDS is an effective sampling method for recruiting diverse groups of MSM to participate in HIV related serologic and behavioral surveys in Dhaka.
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Acknowledgments
The survey was conducted by ICDDR,B in collaboration with IEDCR, on behalf of the Govt. of Bangladesh, with support of grant from Govt. of Bangladesh/DFID/IDA, credit number 3441 BD. Family Health International, Dhaka provided technical assistance. The ICDDR,B acknowledges with gratitude the commitment of the different development partners to the Centre’s research efforts. We also acknowledge with gratitude all participants and staff of the survey.
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Johnston, L.G., Khanam, R., Reza, M. et al. The Effectiveness of Respondent Driven Sampling for Recruiting Males Who have Sex with Males in Dhaka, Bangladesh. AIDS Behav 12, 294–304 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-007-9300-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-007-9300-1