2018 update: The recruitment and consultation process for a national evidence-based trial on smoking cessation care for pregnant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women-The SISTAQUIT(R) Experience

Background: Pregnancy is an important window of opportunity to help smokers quit. Evidence-based, culturally appropriate smoking cessation care (SCC) is required to lower smoking prevalence (45%) among pregnant Indigenous women. SISTAQUIT (Supporting Indigenous Smokers To Assist Quitting), a cluster randomized controlled trial at Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS) and GP practices, compares normal care versus culturally appropriate SCC training to health providers (HPs) to determine if training improves quit outcomes. More evidence is needed regarding the most effective strategies to recruit research sites.

Aims: To provide an update on the Australia-wide recruitment and consultation phases for SISTAQUIT.

Methods: Peak bodies and AMS were contacted in NSW, QLD, WA, SA and the NT, and successive waves of sites were recruited. Strategies included mail-out of trial information to CEOs, phone calls and emails to services, newsletters, presentations at seminars, social media ((Recruitment) phase I). Interested sites were queried for eligibility regarding trial inclusion criteria (phase II). Eligible sites received organizational information and consent forms, the site Research Facilitator position description, and site reimbursement information after jurisdictional ethical approvals were received (phase III).

Results: The opportunity to access whole of service training in SCC for pregnant women an important attractor for sites. Face-to-face contact facilitated interest, assisted by regular email and phone contact. Site recruitment was highly dependent upon the timing and ability to achieve ethical approval for sites within each jurisdiction. Recruitment was facilitated by clarification of site responsibilities and the reimbursement available for successful recruitment and follow up of trial participants.

Conclusions: A wide variety of communication approaches were required to recruit AMS facilities to participate in the SISTAQUIT trial. Coordination of recruitment strategies with the ethical approval process is essential. Clarity regarding site roles and reimbursement enhanced site recruitment.