Factors associated with recruitment and retention of youth into smoking cessation intervention studies--a review of the literature

This paper examines factors associated with high levels of recruitment and retention of youth into smoking cessation interventions. Fifty-five articles published from 1976 to June 2004 reported cessation outcomes were analyzed to examine the associations between selected variables and recruitment and retention rates. Studies with participants who smoked < or =5 cigarettes per day (cpd) were more likely to have recruitment rates > or =85%. Yet, studies with participants who smoked > or =6 cpd were more likely to have high retention rates. Studies that did not use incentives were more likely to have retention rates at end of intervention > or =85%. Findings indicate a lack of information reported about recruitment and retention procedures in adolescent tobacco cessation studies. Additional analyses and research need to be conducted to identify successful methods.