Integration of Peer Navigators Into Longitudinal Research

Objective: To assess consent rates and reasons for refusing consent after the introduction of peer navigators into the Outcomes of Babies With Opioid Exposure (OBOE) Study.

Design: Secondary analysis of data from the OBOE Study, a multisite observational study.

Setting: Medical centers in Alabama, Ohio, and Pennsylvania (N = 4).

Participants: Data about the use of peer navigators were obtained from the primary study, including 1,255 mothers or caregivers who were approached regarding participation in the study.

Methods: We used χ tests to compare study consent rates and reasons for refusing consent before and after the use of peer navigators.

Results: Following the addition of peer navigators, study consent rates significantly improved (29% of 852 before vs. 38% of 403 after; p = .001), and the percentage of potential participants who indicated that they were not interested in sharing information for research significantly decreased (41% of 247 vs. 26% of 115; p = .005).

Conclusion: We demonstrate the potential effect of peer navigators on consent and interest in sharing information for research in a longitudinal research study. We recommend the inclusion of peer navigators in studies with high-risk populations.