Respondent-Driven Sampling Estimators Under Real & Theoretical Recruitment Conditions of Female Sex Workers in China

We compare the performance of multiple respondent-driven sampling estimators under different sample recruitment conditions in hidden populations of female sex workers in the midst of China’s ongoing epidemic of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We first examine empirically calibrated simulations grounded in survey data to evaluate the relative performance of each estimator under ideal sampling conditions consistent with respondent-driven sampling assumptions and under conditions that mimic observed respondent-driven sampling recruitment processes. One estimator, which incorporates respondents’ reports on their network of contacts, substantially out-performs the others under all conditions. We then apply the estimators to empirical samples of female sex workers collected in two Chinese cities which include unique data on respondents’ networks. These empirical results are consistent with the simulation results, suggesting that traditional respondent-driven sampling estimators overestimate the proportion of female sex workers working in low tiers of sex work and are likely to overstate the STI risk profiles of these populations.

Distributions of estimates of proportion in low tiers of sex work using the RDS2-VH estimator, by seeding and recruitment scenario. Notes: The population proportion is computed from the largest connected component of the simulated population network and is shown with a dashed vertical line. Population social network is priorities for local AIDS control efforts survey data source with venue size adjustments and weak geographic distribution of ties assumption (see eAppendix for description of population social networks). Distributions are plotted by kernel density estimation.

Below:  Distributions of estimates of proportion in low tiers of sex work in the real world recruitment scenario, by estimator. Notes: Dashed vertical line indicates the population proportion. Population social network is priorities for local AIDS control efforts survey data source with venue size adjustments and weak geographic distribution of ties assumption (see eAppendix for description of population social networks). Recruitment and seeding scenario is matched seeds and matched recruitments.

Full article at: http://goo.gl/wxNnft

By: Ashton M. Verdery,a,* M. Giovanna Merli,b James Moody,c,d Jeffrey Smith,e and Jacob C. Fisherf

^aDepartment of Sociology and Criminology, Population Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania

^bDuke Population Research Institute, Sanford School of Public Policy, Department of Sociology, and Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC

^cDuke Population Research Institute, Department of Sociology, Duke University, Durham, NC

^dKing Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

^eDepartment of Sociology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE

^fDepartment of Sociology, Duke University, Durham, NC

^*Corresponding Author. Department of Sociology and Criminology, 211 Oswald Tower, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, Email: ude.usp@yredrev

   

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