Pragmatic recruitment strategies for a text-based smoking cessation intervention for sexual and gender minority groups

Background SmokefreeSGM is a text-based smoking cessation intervention developed to support sexual and gender minorities (SGM) with their quitting efforts. We implemented a pragmatic recruitment strategy to enroll a study sample representative for SmokefreeSGM’s feasibility trial. This study outlines the strategies employed to recruit SGM smokers in SmokefreeSGM’s feasibility trial and provides a framework for researchers interested in working with this population. Methods This study recruited SGM smokers using ResearchMatch, social media/internet advertising, and field recruitment in the United States from January to June 2023, using convenience sampling. We evaluated enrollment rates across recruitment methods and various demographic characteristics such as age, gender identity, sexual orientation, etc. Recruitment (those who completed first part of screening divided by those who contacted us) and enrollment (those enrolled divided by those who completed first part of screening) rates were calculated. Results The recruitment rate for this feasibility trial was 20.5% (156/761), and the enrollment rate was 50.6% (79/156). Overall, the ResearchMatch recruitment strategy resulted in the enrollment of the largest proportion, 53.2% (n = 42). We enrolled a greater proportion of participants who were gay and bisexual men and participants who identified as male through field recruitment. Through the social media and internet advertising modality, the highest proportion of transgender individuals were enrolled (p = 0.012). Conclusions Insights gained from this experience will play pivotal role in researchers’ ability to recruit SGM participants in future randomized controlled trials and help overcome barriers to recruitment for SGM individuals in tobacco prevention and control research. Trial registration: NCT05645354.