Effectiveness of Monetary Incentives for Recruiting Adolescents to an Intervention Trial to Reduce Smoking

doi:10.1006/pmed.2000.0762

Preventive Medicine

Volume 31, Issue 6, December 2000, Pages 706-713

https://doi.org/10.1006/pmed.2000.0762 Get rights and content

Abstract

Background. The study objective is to evaluate the effect of monetary incentives on response rates of adolescents to a smoking-related survey as the first step toward participation in an intervention trial.

Methods. A sample of 4,200 adolescent members of a managed care organization were randomized to one of four incentive groups: a $2 cash group, a $15 cash group, a $200 prize drawing group, or a no-incentive group. We compared group-specific response rates and willingness to be contacted about future study activities, as well as costs.

Results. Incentives increased survey response rates (55% response without incentive vs a 69% response with incentive), with response of 74% in the $15 cash group, 69% in the token group, and 63% with a prize incentive. Incentives did not adversely affect willingness of adolescents to be contacted about a smoking intervention, (65% willing with incentives vs 60% without, P = 0.03). In terms of cost per additional survey completed, token and prize groups were marginally more expensive than the no-incentive group ($0.40 and $1.42, respectively) while the large cash incentive was substantially more costly ($11.37).

Conclusions. Monetary incentives improve response rates to a mailed survey, without adverse impact on willingness to further participate in intervention activities. However, a variety of issues must be considered when using incentives for recruitment to intervention studies.

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^☆: This research was supported by Grant CA78183-01 from the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Small Grant Program, and by Grant CA74536-01, both from the National Cancer Institute.

^☆☆: To whom reprint requests should be addressed at HealthPartners Research Foundation, 8100 34th Avenue South, P.O. Box 1524, Minneapolis, MN 55440-1524. Fax: (612) 967-5022 or (952) 967-5022. E-mail: [email protected].

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Regular ArticleEffectiveness of Monetary Incentives for Recruiting Adolescents to an Intervention Trial to Reduce Smoking☆,☆☆

Abstract

J Clin Epidemiol

Ann Epidemiol

Ann Epidemiol

J Clin Epidemiol

Control Clin Trials

Prev Med

Drug Alcohol Depend

MMWR

MMWR

Gender differences in cigarette smoking and quitting in a cohort of young adults

Am J Public Health

MMWR

Teenage tobacco use: data estimates from the Teenage Attitudes and Practice Survey, United States, 1989

Adv Data

Investigating non-response bias in mail surveys

J Epidemiol Community Health

Who responds to postal questionnaires?

J Epidemiol Community Health

Understanding mail survey response behavior

Public Opin Q

Estimating the effect of incentives on mail survey response rates: a meta-analysis

Public Opin Q

Regular Article
Effectiveness of Monetary Incentives for Recruiting Adolescents to an Intervention Trial to Reduce Smoking☆,☆☆