Table 2.
Retention strategies used during this study
| Retention strategy employed | Description | When | Who | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Locator information | Collected first and last names; nicknames or aliases; telephone numbers; home addresses; and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of two contact persons (friends, family members, neighbours and so on). | During assessment visits (months 10, 12 and 24) and tracking visits (months 4, 8, 16 and 20) | Ethnographers and promoters | Temporary study office in the barrio |
| Participant-driven retention | Participants were asked to tell their friends that the study had returned to the barrio for the annual study visit; however, participant identities were not revealed. | During assessment visits (months 10, 12 and 24) and tracking visits (months 4, 8, 16 and 20) | Study participants | Barrios |
| Field visits | Informal site visits to see partipants outside of the regular visit schedule. | Approximately monthly or as possible; these were unplanned and informal | Ethnographers and promoters | Barrio venues, where the participants could be found (hair salons, soccer fields and so on) |
| Empathy-grounded communication | Staff were trained to treat participants as their peers, avoiding a “top-down” dynamic. | During any and all communication with study participants | All study staff | NA |
| Participation in local events | Ethnographers and promoters took part in barrio activities when invited by study participants, eg, birthday parties, barbeques and sporting events. | When invited | Ethnographers and promoters | Barrios |
| Use of the cohort logo | Printed on brochures, keychains, condom holders and so on to help the participants identify with and feel part of the study. | Given out during tracking visits | NA | NA |
| Study ID cards | Study ID cards were given to all participants. These included a digital photograph of the participant, for those who agreed. | During assessment visit at month 0 | Ethnographer | Temporary study office in the barrio |
| E-mail and Internet chat | When participants initiated study contact via e-mail and/or instant chat, staff reciprocated contact via this means. | NA | Ethnographers and Promoters | NA |