Example of Focus Group Discussion Guide

OMB Control # 0920-0987

Expiration Date XX/XX/XXXX

Discussion Guide:

H1N1 Refugee Educational Sessions and Roundtable

Project Goal:

The overall goal of the research is to inform DGMQ on the best practices for communicating important 2009 H1N1 flu information to resettled refugee populations.

Results of these roundtable sessions will be used to inform the final versions of 2009 H1N1 materials produced for refugees and determine future directions for health communications materials. Later roundtable discussions may also be warranted to ensure that future communications and educational materials continue to be useful and appropriate.

Specific research objectives are:

 To raise awareness among resettled refugee populations in the United States about the 2009 H1N1 flu and prevention measures they can take to help mitigate the spread of H1N1 flu.

 To raise awareness among resettled refugee populations in the United States about where to go for resources or information about 2009 H1N1 flu.

 To encourage refugees to get a seasonal and 2009 H1N1 vaccine, especially if they are considered at high-risk of getting complications from any flu virus.

 To determine the advantage of in-person presentations vs. print communications as a mode of disseminating information about the 2009 H1N1 flu.

Introduction 20 minutes

My name is (Insert Name) and I am with (Insert name of institution) and I am here today to about your opinions, knowledge, and experiences during the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic. First, let us start with discussing the rules and how things will work during today’s session.

 Audio recording and observers

 Ground rules

Allow everyone a chance to speak

Address that participants will have different opinions

Let participants know you will ask why a lot

 Warm-up activity

Awareness, Knowledge, and Behaviors 60 minutes

1. Can you tell me what you know about H1N1 flu?

a. What are some of the signs and symptoms of H1N1 flu?

b. Can you name some ways to prevent H1N1 (listen for comments on the vaccine)?

c. What information have you heard about the severity of the virus?

d. What information have you heard regarding what you should do if you have symptoms of the H1N1 virus?

e. What do you know about H1N1 vaccine?

2. Where have you heard or received information about H1N1 flu?

a. News? Doctor/Nurse/Clinic? Family? Friends? Handout/print material?

b. Do you recall whether the information you received was from the state or local health department?

c. Where would you go to find more information about H1N1 if you wanted it?

d. Do you recall whether the information you received was from the U.S. government or CDC?

3. What other information do you feel you still need about H1N1 flu?

a. Have you found this topic to be missing in the H1N1 information that you’ve seen or heard?

b. Have you found this topic to be unclear in the H1N1 information you have seen or heard?

4. Do you believe you are at risk for getting the H1N1 flu? Why or why not?

a. What steps have you taken to reduce your risk or your family’s risk of getting H1N1 flu?

b. What prompted you to take these steps?

Message Testing 35 minutes

5. [message testing] Please take a few minutes to look at the information we handed out to you. Please circle the information you feel is most important.

a. Why do you feel this information is important?

6. [message testing] Please take a few minutes to look at the information we handed out to you. Please underline any information you feel is confusing.

a. Why is this information confusing?

b. How could it be changed to make it clearer?

7. [message testing] What do you think about the look of the document?

a. Is it appealing? If you saw this information in the lobby of your doctor’s office, would you be likely to read it?

b. What do you think about the images used in the document?

c. What do you think about the colors used?

d. How could it be changed to be more appealing or useful?

Closing 5 minutes

This concludes our discussion. Is there anything we have not discussed today that you would like to mention?

Thank you for participating

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