Strategies to maximise study retention and limit attrition bias in a prospective cohort study of men reporting a history of injecting drug use released from prison: the prison and transition health study

• DOI: 10.1186/s12874-021-01380-0
• Publication Date: 2021-09-12T13:03:46Z
• Authors: Ashleigh Cara Ste...; Reece Cossar; Shelley Walker; Anna Lee Wilkinson; Brendan Quinn; Paul Dietze; Rebecca Winter; Amy Kirwan; Michael Curtis; James R. P. Ogloff; Stuart Kinner; Campbell Aitken; Tony Butler; Emma Woods; Mark Stoové
• Keywords: Attrition

Abstract Background There are significant challenges associated with studies of people released from custodial settings, including loss to follow-up in the community. Interpretation findings consideration differences between those followed up and not is critical development evidence-informed policies practices. We describe attrition bias Prison Transition Health (PATH) prospective cohort study, strategies employed minimise attrition. Methods PATH involves 400 men a history injecting drug use recruited three prisons Victoria, Australia. Four interviews were conducted: one pre-release (‘baseline’) at approximately 3, 12, 24 months post-release (‘follow-up’). assessed baseline characteristics retained reporting mean 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Results Most participants (85%) completed least interview 162 (42%) all interviews. Retained younger than lost (mean diff − 3.1 years, CI -5.3, 0.9). no other statistically observed characteristics. Conclusion The high proportion study via comprehensive procedures, coupled extensive record linkage range administrative datasets, considerable strength study. Our highlight how strategic frequent contact secondary contacts, established working relationships relevant government departments can improve retention potentially bias.