Sampling and recruitment in multilevel studies among marginalized urban populations: The IMPACT studies

Danielle C. Ompad, Sandro Galea, Grant Marshall, Crystal M. Fuller, Linda Weiss, John R. Beard, Christina Chan, Vincent Edwards, David Vlahov

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

Illicit drug use in urban settings is a major public health problem. A range of individual level factors are known to influence drug use and its consequences, and a number of recent studies have suggested that the neighborhood in which an individual lives may also play a role. However, studies seeking to identify neighborhood-level determinants of drug use, particularly among marginalized urban populations, need to overcome significant challenges, particularly in the area of sampling and recruitment. One key issue is defining functional neighborhoods that are relevant to local residents. Another arises from the need to sample a representative or even a diverse population when studying marginalized groups such as illicit drug users. These are common problems that raise particular challenges when both need to be addressed in the same study. For example, many sampling approaches for neighborhood-level studies have included some form of random sample of households, but this may systematically overlook marginalized populations. On the other hand, the sampling approaches commonly used in studies of hidden populations such as chain referral, snow ball, and more recently, respondent-driven sampling, typically expand beyond a geographic "neighborhood." We describe the organization and rationale for the IMPACT Studies in New York City as a case illustration on how such issues may be addressed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)268-280
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Urban Health
Volume85
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Drug users
  • Marginalized populations
  • Multilevel studies
  • Neighborhoods
  • Recruitment
  • Sampling

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Urban Studies
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Sampling and recruitment in multilevel studies among marginalized urban populations: The IMPACT studies'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this