Enhancing Research With Migrant Women Through Focus Groups

Abstract

Recent systematic reviews of measurement strategies have identified a striking lack of data to support the validity of most questionnaires used with multiethnic, migrant populations. In the context of two ongoing research studies examining the reproductive health needs of migrant women in Canada, cultural validation was required for proposed study questionnaires and protocols in a total of 13 languages. Multilingual, multiethnic women with various migrant profiles were recruited from the community to review research materials in a series of focus groups. Recommendations by these women were made in relation to consent and interpretation procedures, development of trust in research, home visits after birth, approaches to sensitive topics, inclusion of discrimination as a research variable, and reimbursement of participants. Preliminary work applying focus-group methods to mixed ethno-cultural groups yielded valuable information on appropriateness of planned research.

Sexual and reproductive health communication among Sudanese and Eritrean women: an exploratory study from Brisbane, Australia

“…Ruppenthal, Tuck and Gagnon (2005) state that the emotional support, sense of community and reassurance displayed between group members during an FGD are key assets of this research method and it is therefore an effective means of information gathering, particularly regarding sensitive issues. The interaction of group participants in response to other participants' comments, and not merely the question posed by the facilitator, enables participants to elaborate and clarify viewpoints individually and with the group (Halcomb et al 2007;Ruppenthal, Tuck, and Gagnon 2005).…”

“…Prior to the commencement of FGDs, the research team (comprised of the principal researcher, an Arabic interpreter and a Tigrinya interpreter) and research participants shared a meal together. Cultural and religious similarities between the two nationalities as well as community ties assisted in the creation of a positive group dynamic and a culturally safe environment and helped establish rapport between participants and the research team (Halcomb et al 2007;Mengisteab 2010;Vara and Patel 2011;Wilson and Neville 2009) Open-ended questions were utilised to create dialogue and to generate a diversity of information (Hinton and Earnest 2009;Ruppenthal, Tuck, and Gagnon 2005). While research participants were able to speak and understand English, two female, trained interpreters, fluent in Arabic (for communication with Sudanese participants) and Tigrinya (for communication with Eritrean participants) were made available to participants in the older women's FGD .…”

A Cross-Generational Study of Contraception and Reproductive Health Among Sudanese and Eritrean Women in Brisbane, Australia

“…The qualitative research design also permitted for a rich understanding and in-depth exploration of the health needs of the target group (Jirojwong & Liamputtong, 2009). Ruppenthal, Tuck, and Gagnon (2005) argue that the emotional support displayed between group members during a FGD is one of the key assets of this research method. The oral tradition amongst indigenous groups also supports the FGD methodology as a means of gathering information (Ruppenthal et al, 2005).…”

“…Open-ended questions, sensitive to the context, were used to facilitate dialogue between participants and to generate diversity of views (Hinton & Earnest, 2009;Ruppenthal et al, 2005). Key themes included contraception and reproductive health knowledge; access and barriers to contraception and reproductive health knowledge and services; and how SRH services can improve to increase uptake.…”

‘Not enough people to look after you’: An exploration of women's experiences of childbirth in the Republic of Ireland

“…FGIs are 'group discussions exploring a specific set of issues' (Kitzinger and Barbour 1999:4), and are increasingly used in midwifery research (Parvin et al 2004, Olsson et al 2005, Ruppenthal et al 2005, Hunter 2006). The rationale for choosing FGIs is related to minimising and dissipating the hierarchical nature of research whilst maximising contextual meanings (Wilkinson 1999).…”