BACKGROUND

• Recruiting diverse and representative participants remains a major challenge in dementia research, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

• Understanding how individuals learn about research opportunities, what motivates participation, and why some decline is essential for developing effective and inclusive recruitment strategies. This study examines recruitment pathways, motivations, and non-participation reasons in a multicentre dementia research project in Peru and Bolivia.

METHODS

• This cross-sectional sub-study is embedded within other ongoing dementia research projects conducted across multiple cities in Peru and Bolivia.

• Data were collected between August 2024 and December 2025 using an adapted version of the Cognitive Aging Lab Marketing Questionnaire.

• The questionnaire captured information on sources of study awareness, motivations for participation and reasons for non- participation.

RESULTS

Between August 2024 and December 2025, 668 individuals expressed interest in the study, with physician referral being the most common source of awareness, accounting for nearly half of all contacts.

Of these, 308 (46%) provided informed consent. Participation was primarily motivated by participants’ trust in the physician who referred them to the study, perceiving the referral as a valuable opportunity.

Among those who did not enrol, the most common reasons were not meeting the inclusion criteria, lack of time, and loss of contact.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight the central role of trusted healthcare professionals in dementia research recruitment in LA. Incorporating participants’ motivations and reasons for non-participation into recruitment planning may improve enrolment efficiency and inclusivity