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PubMed · 12019936

Using focus groups to develop a culturally sensitive methodology for epidemiological surveys in a Latino population: findings from the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study (LALES).

Denise R Globe·Alisú Schoua-Glusberg·Sylvia Paz·Elaine Yu·Susan Preston-Martin·Stan Azen·Rohit Varma
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Many standardized survey instruments are initially developed in English-speaking populations. These instruments may not be culturally appropriate for other ethnic groups, such as Latinos. METHODS: The Los Angeles Latino Eye Study (LALES) was designed to determine the prevalence of blindness, visual impairment, and ocular diseases; risk factors for these diseases; and general and ocular healthcare use among non-institutionalized adult Latinos in suburban Los Angeles County, California. The LALES investigators used focus groups to develop questionnaires and to devise culturally sensitive methods for implementing this epidemiologic study in a Latino population. Eighty-four respondents were administered the in-home questionnaire and then scheduled into one of 6 in-home focus groups, allowing participants to reflect in groups about the study, their participation, and the state of the instruments and the translations. FINDINGS: Overall, respondents reported that the questionnaire was well written, easy to understand, and very clear. Recommendations from participants included: 1) keep questions brief; 2) minimize the number of response choices; 3) keep phrasing clear; 4) simplify technical terms; 5) provide test results immediately after the clinical examination; and 6) hire Spanish-speaking staff to increase participants' trust and confidence. CONCLUSION: Focus groups assisted in yielding a culturally appropriate survey research tool and methodology for this population-based study in a Latino community.

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AdultCultureEpidemiologic MethodsFemaleFocus GroupsHealth SurveysHispanic or LatinoHumansLos AngelesMaleMiddle AgedReproducibility of ResultsSurveys and QuestionnairesVision DisordersJournal ArticleResearch Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

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Denise R Globe, Alisú Schoua-Glusberg, Sylvia Paz, Elaine Yu, Susan Preston-Martin, Stan Azen, Rohit Varma. 2002. Using focus groups to develop a culturally sensitive methodology for epidemiological surveys in a Latino population: findings from the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study (LALES).. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12019936/

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