Perception of social value predicts participation in school-based research

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate factors affecting the participation of schools in a serosurvey. MethodsA telephone interview was conducted with a representative of 80 schools (response rate 92%). The schools had been randomly selected to participate in a seroprevalence survey evaluating a measles vaccination campaign of Victorian school-aged children in 1998. ResultsUnivariate analysis suggested that responses to the interview were not influenced by school level (primary/secondary), geographic location, funding source or participation in the seroprevalence survey. There was, however, a strong association of participation in the seroprevalence survey with the perception of value to students and the value to the community. Factor analysis identified two issues: the societal value and practical issues, which explained most of the variance in participation (pseudo R2-0.84). ConclusionThe perception of the benefits of the study strongly influenced the decision by school representatives to participate in the seroprevalence survey. ImplicationsRecruitment of schools for health-related research may be improved if the number of research projects in schools is monitored and possibly restricted, and the social value of the research is emphasised.