Abstract
ObjectiveLack of representative data about hidden groups, like men who have sex with men (MSM), hinders an evidence-based response to the HIV epidemics. Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) was developed to overcome sampling challenges in studies of populations like MSM for which sampling frames are absent. Internet-based RDS (webRDS) can potentially circumvent limitations of the original RDS method. We aimed to implement and evaluate webRDS among a hidden population.Methods and DesignThis cross-sectional study took place 18 February to 12 April, 2011 among MSM in Vietnam. Inclusion criteria were men, aged 18 and above, who had ever had sex with another man and were living in Vietnam. Participants were invited by an MSM friend, logged in, and answered a survey. Participants could recruit up to four MSM friends. We evaluated the system by its success in generating sustained recruitment and the degree to which the sample compositions stabilized with increasing sample size.ResultsTwenty starting participants generated 676 participants over 24 recruitment waves. Analyses did not show evidence of bias due to ineligible participation. Estimated mean age was 22 years and 82% came from the two large metropolitan areas. 32 out of 63 provinces were represented. The median number of sexual partners during the last six months was two. The sample composition stabilized well for 16 out of 17 variables.ConclusionResults indicate that webRDS could be implemented at a low cost among Internet-using MSM in Vietnam. WebRDS may be a promising method for sampling of Internet-using MSM and other hidden groups.
Highlights
Men who have sex with men (MSM) has emerged as a key population in the global HIV epidemic [1,2,3]
We evaluated the system by its success in generating sustained recruitment and the degree to which the sample compositions stabilized with increasing sample size
Results indicate that webRDS could be implemented at a low cost among Internet-using men who have sex with men (MSM) in Vietnam
Summary
Men who have sex with men (MSM) has emerged as a key population in the global HIV epidemic [1,2,3]. While population-based surveys in countries with generalized epidemics have generated vast amounts of data on sexual behavior [5], studies on MSM and other hidden populations struggle to generate representative samples and adequate sample sizes [1]. An RDS study starts by purposively selecting a handful of participants who are known members of the study population. These ‘‘seeds’’ are given invitation coupons (usually three) to distribute to other members of the population. These members are in turn given three new coupons to distribute. Monetary incentives are usually given both for participation and recruitment
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