Jamilah Taylor

Comparing focus groups and individual interviews: findings from a randomized study

Abstract Qualitative researchers often have to decide whether to collect data using focus groups or individual interviews. We systematically compare these two methods on their ability to generate two types of information: unique items in a brainstorming task and personally sensitive disclosures. Our study sample consisted of 350 African-American men living in Durham, North Carolina. Participants were randomized into either a focus group arm or individual interview arm, and were asked the same open-ended questions about their health-care seeking behavior. For the item-generating task, we compared data at two levels of analysis – the event and the individual. At the event level, focus groups and individual interviews generated similar numbers of unique items in a free-listing task. When compared on a per-person basis, however, individual interviews were more effective at generating a broad range of items. We also compared the number of data collection events in which personal, sensitive information was disclosed. We found that several types of sensitive and personal disclosures were more likely in a focus group setting, and that some sensitive themes only occurred in the focus group context. No sensitive themes emerged exclusively, or more often in, an individual interview context. Researchers may use these findings to help align their choice of qualitative data collection method with research objectives.

Widow cleansing and inheritance among the Luo in Kenya: the need for additional women-centred HIV prevention options.

The customs of widow cleansing and widow inheritance are practiced in several communities throughout sub‐Saharan Africa. In the Nyanza Province of Kenya, according to tradition, Luo widows are expected to engage in sexual intercourse with a “cleanser,” without the use of a condom, in order to remove the impurity ascribed to her after her husbands death. Luo couples, including widows, are also expected to engage in sex preceding specific agricultural activities, building homes, funerals, weddings, and other significant cultural and social events. Widows who are inherited for the purpose of fulfilling cultural obligation have a higher prevalence of HIV than those who remain un‐inherited or are inherited for the purpose of companionship.

Girls’ Relational Orientation and Interpersonal Dynamics of Delinquency

As noted in a previous chapter, the last decade has witnessed an increase in arrest rates for girls (Chap. 1). Notwithstanding the important issue of whether girls are actually getting more violent, a consequence of these rising rates is long overdue attention to delinquency committed by girls. Unfortunately, many of the theoretical frameworks and intervention models on delinquency (e.g., Patterson et al. 1991; Loeber and Farrington 2001) were based on research of males. Thus, little is known about risk mechanisms specific to girls’ delinquency. Such information is necessary in order to guide prevention and intervention efforts that are responsive to girls’ needs.

It’s all in the timing: Acceptability of a financial incentive intervention for linkage to HIV care in the HPTN 065 (TLC-Plus) study

The HPTN 065 (TLC-Plus) study tested the feasibility and effectiveness of using financial incentives (FIs) to increase linkage to care (L2C) among individuals with newly diagnosed HIV and those out of care in the Bronx, NY and Washington, DC. Qualitative data collection with a subset of participating patients and staff focused on experiences with and attitudes about the FI intervention. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 patients and 14 site investigators. Four focus group discussions were conducted with a total of 15 staff members. The use of FIs for L2C was generally viewed favorably. Patients were grateful and benefited financially, but sites had some challenges implementing the program. Challenges included the timing and sensitive introduction of the intervention immediately after an HIV diagnosis, negative attitudes towards paying people for health behaviors, and the existence and strength of existing linkage programs. Future programs should consider optimal timing and presentation of FIs.

It Makes You Feel Like Someone Cares acceptability of a financial incentive intervention for HIV viral suppression in the HPTN 065 (TLC-Plus) study.

Background HPTN 065 (TLC-Plus) evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of providing quarterly

Assays for estimating HIV incidence: updated global market assessment and estimated economic value

70 gift card financial incentives to HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) to encourage ART adherence and viral suppression, and represents the largest study to-date of a financial incentive intervention for HIV viral suppression. A post-trial qualitative substudy was undertaken to examine acceptability of the financial incentives among those receiving and implementing the intervention. Methods Between July and October 2013, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 72 patients and 12 investigators from 14 sites; three focus groups were conducted with 12 staff from 10 sites. Qualitative data collection elicited experiences with and attitudes about the intervention, including philosophical viewpoints and implementation experiences. Transcripts were analyzed in NVivo 10. Memos and matrices were developed to explore themes from different participant group perspectives. Results Patients, investigators, and staff found the intervention highly acceptable, primarily due to the emotional benefits gained through giving or receiving the incentive. Feeling rewarded or cared for was a main value perceived by patients; this was closely tied to the financial benefit for some. Other factors influencing acceptability for all included perceived effectiveness and health-related benefits, philosophical concerns about the use of incentives for health behavior change, and implementation issues. The termination of the incentive at the end of the study was disappointing to participants and unexpected by some, but generally accepted. Conclusion Positive experiences with the financial incentive intervention and strategies used to facilitate implementation led to high acceptability of the intervention, despite some reluctance in principle to the use of incentives. The findings of this analysis provide encouraging evidence in support of the acceptability of a large-scale financial incentive intervention for HIV viral suppression in a clinical setting, and offer valuable lessons for future applications of similar interventions.

Beyond the Page: A Process Review of Using Ethnodrama to Disseminate Research Findings

Accurate incidence estimates are needed to characterize the HIV epidemic and guide prevention efforts. HIV Incidence assays are cost‐effective laboratory assays that provide incidence estimates from cross‐sectional surveys. We conducted a global market assessment of HIV incidence assays under three market scenarios and estimated the economic value of improved incidence assays.

Acceptability of Financial Incentives for HIV Viral Suppression: A Qualitative Substudy of HPTN 065

Public health researchers are charged with communicating study findings to appropriate audiences. Dissemination activities typically target the academic research community. However, as participatory research grows, researchers are increasingly exploring innovative dissemination techniques to reach broader audiences, particularly research participants and their communities. One technique is ethnodrama/ethnotheatre, a written or live performance based on study findings. Though used effectively in social change programs, dramas are seldom used to distribute research findings exclusively. Therefore, little information is available about planning and implementing an ethnodrama for this purpose. We present a case study describing the process of planning and implementing an ethnodrama in the context of the Durham Focus Group Study, which explored men’s health-seeking behaviors and experiences with health and healthcare services in Durham, North Carolina. Here, we highlight lessons learned throughout the production of the ethnodrama, and how we addressed challenges associated with transforming research data into educational entertainment. Additionally, we provide discussion of audience feedback, which indicated that our ethnodrama evoked an urgency to change health behaviors among lay persons (67%) and delivery of health services among those identifying as providers (84%), pointing to the success of the performance in both entertaining and educating the audience.

Participants' Explanations for Nonadherence in the FEM-PrEP Clinical Trial.

Knowing that most of times—like in this low income community you’re not working and you really can’t handle yourself or treat yourself or just basically attend to your basic needs. And that [the gift card] made you feel like ‘I’m taking care of myself,’ it’s like you earn it kind of. You earned the gift card, but you’re taking care of yourself, so it’s like a reward kind of. — Patient, non-Hispanic black female, 30 years old, BNY