Correlates of attendance at community engagement meetings held in advance of bio-behavioral research studies: A longitudinal, sociocentric social network study in rural Uganda.
Bernard KakuhikireEmily N SatinskyCharles BagumaJustin D RasmussenJessica M PerkinsPatrick GumisirizaMercy JulietPatience AyebareRumbidzai C MushaviBridget F O BurnsClaire Q EvansMark J SiednerDavid R BangsbergAlexander C TsaiPublished in: PLoS medicine (2021)
In this longitudinal, sociocentric social network study conducted in rural Uganda, we observed that older age, female sex, being married, membership in more community groups, and geographical proximity to meeting locations were correlated with attendance at community sensitization meetings held in advance of bio-behavioral research activities. Information conveyed during meetings could have reached a broader portion of the population through attendees' social network and household connections. To ensure broader input and potentially increase participation in health-related research studies, the dissemination of research-related information through community sensitization meetings may need to target members of underrepresented groups.