Table 3.

Strategies and related guidelines for IR1, Move the community to be recruited and retained

IR #1: Move the community to be recruited and retained ➩ Focus is on programme participants
1.1 Strategy 1: Build on strong rapport and community ties to generate demand
1.1.1 Promotional, community-embedded activities such as mobile counters and door-to-door visits, using the opportunity to become well-acquainted with residents, particularly hard to reach groups [30–32].
1.1.2 Lay health promoters to share life experiences with residents, building bonds during onboarding phase [31, 32].
1.1.3 Having programme managers who are well-liked and trusted to advocate for the programme. This can improve participation rates and promote group cohesion [33].
1.1.4 Onboarding using guided discussion on views on shared problems and build on these discussions to create a sense of unity and shared responsibility [34].
1.1.5 Creating opportunities for peer recruitment [32], and peer support, e.g., inviting people to join breakout activities together [35].
1.2 Strategy 2: Raise awareness of health gains to encourage programme adoption
1.2.1 Holding in-person events and/or digital activities to teach the public about health gains offered by the programme [36].
1.2.2 Building health literacy will motivate community actors to grow programme participation and keep new recruits engaged [37].
1.3 Strategy 3: Ensure accessibility and visibility of community activities
1.3.1 Hold programme in a favourable location in the community, e.g., close by, in a known location, which is attractive to the participant [32], while provisioning for access of attendees with disabilities [38].
1.3.2 Ensure suitable programme timing by providing a few timing options, e.g., for children’s programmes avoiding timings when children tend to watch cartoons [39]; or for adult programmes weekdays or timings when they must go to work or look after children [40, 41].
1.3.3 Plan to recruit volunteers to organize playgroup session for participants’ children allowing their parents to attend the programme [40].
1.4 Strategy 4: Encourage committing to activities and continued uptake of learned behaviours
1.4.1 Incorporate simple acts of appreciation to attendees, this includes actively ushering participants on arrival, thanking them for coming, and providing personal reminders to return each week [33].
1.4.2 Consider adopting a low participation fee, e.g., 100 yen/1 USD/2 SGD per visit [38]. This makes the programme still accessible, but also places a value on attendance, especially if the event is pre-paid.
1.4.3 Using digital auto-reminders to prompt undertaking of self-directed activities, e.g., a Move-It icon on desktop computer screen to prompt participation and interrupt prolonged sitting activities [35].
1.4.4 Maintain regular contact to provide constant reminders of events and support to programme participants, encouraging them to continue with intervention [33].
1.4.5 Ensuring basic needs are met in the most deprived populations to enable commitment and continuation of engagement [42]; indeed, incentives and monetary support may be required to adjust for this type of scenario.