The relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and recruitment, retention, and health improvements in a worksite health promotion program.

BACKGROUND: Recruitment, retention, and success in a worksite health promotion program was examined among various demographic groups of employees (n = 11,830) of the Dallas, Texas Independent School District.
METHODS: Enrolled employees (n = 3,873) were given a health screen consisting of health habit assessment, measurement of clinical variables, physical fitness testing, and a medical examination.
RESULTS: Thirty-three percent of employees were successfully recruited into the program. Recruitment rates were virtually identical for men and women (32% and 33%, respectively), but varied across ethnic, age, and education groups. Blacks, younger employees, and noncollege graduates were less likely to be recruited. Sixty-nine percent of the employees were retained in the program, as defined by participation in the second screen, and women were more likely to be retained than men (71% versus 64%, respectively). Retention rates throughout the 10-week program were higher for whites and Hispanics, and were virtually identical for each age group and education level. Overall, participants in the program showed an improvement in physical fitness and general well-being, lost weight, and smoked less. These changes were relatively consistent across the various demographic groups. DISCUSSION: Data suggest demographic characteristics are related to recruitment and retention in a health promotion program.