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Title: USE OF QUALITATIVE METHODOLOGY IN COMMUNITY NUTRITION ASSESSMENT

Author
item YADRICK, KATHY - UNIV SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
item CONNELL, CAROL - UNIV SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
item STUFF, JANICE - CNRC
item SMITH, JUNEAL - ACHRI
item PITTLER, ARLYN - ACHRI
item MCGEE, BERNESTINE - SOUTHERN UNIV & A&M COL
item IDRIS, RAFIDA - ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY
item PARMER, EDWARD - UNIV OF AR PINE BLUFF
item PATRICK, RUTH - PENNINGTON BIOMED RES CTR

Submitted to: Journal Of The American Dietetic Association
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/4/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Qualitative assessment of needs within a community is a crucial step in planning effective nutrition interventions. Perceptions of nutrition and health problems by community leaders can guide planning, build support for interventions, assess community readiness for change, and identify strengths and barriers. Qualitative methods were evaluated in planning a community assessment for the Delta Nutrition Intervention Research Initiative (Delta NIRI), a collaborative effort targeting poor nutrition and health in the Lower Mississippi Delta. The key informant personal interview was compared with focus group methods on the following criteria: study objectives, respondent burden, data analysis, interviewee expectations, freedom to express opinion, group dynamics, bias, and research control. Key informants can express personal opinions without fear of disclosure or political ramifications. Individual interviews can aid 'buy-in'to a program. Data can be compared across communities and sectors. Individual interviews may be more costly than focus groups. Key informants may have bias associated with their roles in the community. Focus groups are quick, and less expensive to conduct. They use group interaction to produce data that individuals might not generate independently. Group interaction can lead to greater emphasis on the participant's point of view and less control by the researcher. Participants should be homogeneous in order for comparisons to be made across groups in data analysis. The use of qualitative methods in assessing nutrition needs prior to planning nutrition interventions is critical.