Community health worker perspectives on recruitment and retention of recent immigrant women in a randomized clinical trial

This study explores the recruitment and retention strategies used by community health workers who enrolled Korean Americans in a church-based, randomized trial to promote mammogram and Papanicolaou tests and retained them for 6 months. We conducted 4 focus groups with 23 community health workers. Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis. Themes were identified in relation to recruitment: personal networks, formal networks at churches, building on trust and respect, and facilitating a nonthreatening environment. Themes were identified for retention: Trust and peer support. Qualified, well-Trained community health workers can recruit and retain hard-To-reach immigrant women in a randomized trial by using multiple culturally sensitive strategies.