This document summarizes a systematic review of 123 studies using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) methodology for HIV biological and behavioral surveillance. The studies recruited a total of 32,298 participants from injecting drug users (IDU), men who have sex with men (MSM), sex workers (SWs), and heterosexual high-risk men. Key findings include IDU studies had a lower proportion of failed seeds and more productive recruitment than MSM and SW studies. Predictors of larger sample sizes included being an IDU study and not using coupon expiration dates. Common methodological errors observed were applying RDS where populations lacked social networks or willingness to refer peers.

1. Promises and Challenges of Using Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS) Methodology for HIV Biological and Behavioral Surveillance in International Settings: A Systematic Review Mohsen Malekinejad MD, MPH Lisa Grazina Johnston, PhD, MPH Carl Kendall, PhD Ligia Regina Franco Sansigolo Kerr MD, PhD Marina Rifkin, MPH George W. Rutherford MD, MA