Perception of social value predicts participation in school-based research

Objective: To investigate factors affecting the participation of schools in a serosurrey. Methods: A telephone interview was conducted with a representative of 80 sc hools (response rate 92%). The schools had been randomly selected to partic ipate in a seroprevalence survey evaluating a measles vaccination campaign of Victorian school-aged children in 1998. Results: Univariate analysis suggested that responses to the interview were not influenced by school level (primary/secondary), geographic location, f unding source or participation in the seroprevalence survey. There was, how ever, a strong association of participation in the seroprevalence survey wi th the perception of value to students and the value to the community. Fact or analysis identified two issues: the societal value and practical issues, which explained most of the variance in participation (pseudo R(Q=)0.84). Conclusion: The perception of the benefits of the study strongly influenced the decision by school representatives to participate in the seroprevalenc e survey. Implications: Recruitment of schools for health-related research may be imp roved if the number of research projects in schools is monitored and possib ly restricted, and the social value of the research is emphasised.