WhatsApp-Based Focus Groups Among Mexican-Origin Women in Zika Risk Area: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Data Quality.
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ABSTRACT: Background
Despite unprecedented advances in worldwide access to the internet via smartphones, barriers to engaging hard-to-reach populations remain in many methods of health research. A potential avenue for conducting qualitative research is via participatory web-based media, including the free, popular social platform WhatsApp. However, despite the clear advantages of engaging with participants over a well-established web-based platform, logistical challenges remain.Objective
This study aims to report evidence on the feasibility and acceptability of WhatsApp as a method to conduct focus groups.Methods
A pilot focus group was conducted with Spanish-speaking women near the US-Mexico border. The content focus was knowledge and perceived risks for exposure to the Zika virus during pregnancy.Results
Evidence was obtained regarding WhatsApp as a low-cost, logistically feasible methodology that resulted in rich qualitative data from a population that is often reticent to engage in traditional research. A total of 5 participants participated in a focus group, of whom all 5 consistently contributed to the focus group chat in WhatsApp, which was conducted over 3 consecutive days.Conclusions
The findings are noteworthy at a time when face-to-face focus groups, the gold standard, are risky or precluded by safe COVID-19 guidelines. Other implications include more applications and evaluations of WhatsApp for delivering one-on-one or group health education interventions on sensitive topics. This paper outlines the key steps and considerations for the replication or adaptation of methods.
SUBMITTER: Anderson E
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8587330 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description: Not available
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