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).
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.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Focus groups assisted in yielding a culturally appropriate survey research tool and methodology for this population-based study in a Latino community.
Globe
Denise R
DR
School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 90033, USA.
Schoua-Glusberg
Alisú
A
Paz
Sylvia
S
Yu
Elaine
E
Preston-Martin
Susan
S
Azen
Stan
S
Varma
Rohit
R
D000328:Adult; D003469:Culture; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006306:Health Surveys; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000208:ethnology