JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

In Brazil, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) commercialization is prohibited since 2009, and the prevalence of regular use is lower than in countries where these devices are not banned. To monitor ENDS diffusion is important to prevent a new generation of nicotine-dependent individuals. But traditional surveys are costly to access rare populations. So, to reach ENDS users aged 15+, we conduct the online version of the Respondent Driven Sampling Method (web-RDS), a peer chain-recruitment method to reach hard-to-reach groups.

Objective:

This paper aims to provide information on the implementation of the first web-RDS study conduct in Brazil to recruit and to understand the profile of ENDS users.

Methods:

The study was conducted in Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city in Brazil. After a formative phase using qualitative in-dept interviews, we selected the first participants (“seeds”) to complete an online quantitative questionnaire, about their use profile and their contact network size of ENDS users. Participants receive 3 coupons to invite their eligible peers. For participation and recruitment, they receive a giftcard (~US$4), each.

Results:

From August 2022 to May 2023, 508 access attempts were recorded in the data collection system, of which 330 eligible. Recruitment seems to be affected by availability of monetary incentive. We found that 43% of recruiters included only one eligible participant, 34% recruited two eligible participants, and 22% recruited three participants. Web-RDS was able to reach individuals in different areas of the city. The median time to complete the questionnaire was 12 minutes. Half of the respondents indicated that they knew up to five other ENDS users.

Conclusions:

The web-RDS methodology proved to be a feasible approach for accessing the population of ENDS users in Brazil. Incentives for participation and recruitment emerged as a determining factor in the data collection process. However, researchers must be aware of individuals attempting to circumvent the system by participating without being eligible or participating multiple times. Implications for optimizing web-RDS are discussed. Web-RDS would enable monitoring potential changes of ENDS users’ profile over time, supporting the implementation of ongoing measures in the National Tobacco Control Policy.