Poster Presentation Lancefield International Symposium for Streptococci and Streptococcal Diseases 2025

Communication Strategies Used to Maximise Community-Based Participation in the Sore Throat Study in Perth and Melbourne (#100)

Elizabeth J Negus 1 2 3 , Ciara Baker 1 4 , Tria Williams 1 4 , Angela D'Aprile 1 2 3 , Isabel Lester 1 2 3 , Peter Richmond 1 2 3 5 6 , Margie Danchin 1 4 , Helen Marshall 1 7 , Lena Sanci 1 4 , Alan Leeb 1 , Katharine Noonan 1 3 , Rachel Canaway 1 4 , Matt Cooper 1 3 , Hannah Frost 1 4 , Glenn Pearson 1 2 3 , Alma Fulurija 1 2 3 5 , Andrew Steer 1 4 , Jonathan Carapetis 1 2 3 5 6
  1. ASAVI - The Australian Strep A Vaccine Initiative , Perth, Western Australia, Australia
  2. Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases , Perth, Western Australia, Australia
  3. The Kids Research Institute Australia, Nedlands, WESTERN AUSTRALIA, Australia
  4. Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  5. University of Western Australia , Perth, Western Australia, Australia
  6. Perth Children’s Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
  7. Women’s and Children’s Hospital Adelaide , Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Background and Aims

The Australian Strep A Vaccine Initiative (ASAVI) is an Australian-led initiative with the goal of reducing the burden of Streptococus pyogenes infections through development of a vaccine. The critical first step for ASAVI is to establish the baseline epidemiology of S. pyogenes pharyngeal infection in children. The Australian Strep A Urban Pharyngitis Study (STAMPS) was developed to determine the incidence of S. pyogenes sore throat among healthy children (aged 3-14 years) living in urban settings.

In response to the recruitment challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the study design was revised. Instead of relying solely on GP-based sampling and data collection, we implemented a  community-based, parent-led model to enhance recruitment and improve retention. This new approach was supported by a communication strategy aimed at engaging with families of prospective participants in the community.

Methods

The comprehensive communication strategy aimed to engage eligible families through various media channels including print, digital and social media. This effort was facilitated by the communication teams of the respective institutes. The multi-pronged media approach included newspaper articles, television interviews and targeted social media advertising campaigns featuring static advertisements and videos, which resulted in significant community interest in participating in the study.

Results & Conclusion

Following eight months of recruitment efforts impacted by COVID the pivot to the community-based parent-led approach was implemented to boost recruitment. This strategy, supported by a targeted communication efforts within the community, successfully met the study’s revised recruitment target, with 80% of participants enrolling in the parent-led model.