Respondent Driven Sampling: A New Approach to Sampling Rare and Hidden Diseases

A detailed study of hidden and hard to reach populations in order to identify their characteristics is essential because they endanger the health of the society by their dangerous behaviors. However, sampling in these populations through conventional sampling methods is impossible due to reasons such as being hidden and lacking a precise frame.
In this article, applicable concepts and key points in the implementation of respondent driven sampling were defined by focusing on designs that aimed to study dangerous and hidden behaviors such as dangerous sexual behavior, injecting drug abuse, and HIV infection.
Findings: The merits of the respondent driven sampling are the production of unbiased and effective estimations of necessary parameters in populations at risk of rare and hidden diseases in comparison to other chain referral and conventional sampling methods, and the innovations of this sampling method during its implementation.
The application of the respondent driven sampling method in order to achieve unbiased and precise estimates of the prevalence rate of rare and hidden diseases is recommended in health programs of the society.