Increasing Response Rates on Face-to-Face Surveys with Indigenous Communities in Canada: Lessons from Pictou Landing

Background: Designing an effective survey for gathering primary health data using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach in Indigenous communities in Canada has its challenges. Yet, the Pictou Landing First Nation (PFLN) Native Women’s Group (NWG) and academic research partners achieved a 59% response rate.

Objectives: To share lessons learned with both campus and community-based research teams engaged in CBPR involving Indigenous communities on the process of team development, and particularly survey development and execution, as well as the factors that led to a reliable and valid household level environmental health survey that achieved a 59% response rate.

Methods: Multiple debriefings conducted over the course of the 12-month data collection period allowed us to modify our protocol to fit with community oscillations.

Results/Lessons Learned: Unique aspects of CBPR allowed for the development of a culturally appropriate survey protocol and culturally relevant variables that reflected the concerns of the NWG, and presenting preliminary data to the community also encouraged community buy-in to participate.

Conclusions: Sharing lessons learned in this project are intended to have positive implications for future CBPR projects wanting to collect primary health survey data involving Indigenous communities.