Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Evaluation Primer on Health Risk Communication Programs
Sample Focus Group Case Study
Background
In keeping with the goal of the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to develop uniform contraceptive labeling, focus groups were conducted
to determine a presentation format most useful to the consumer for contraceptive
pregnancy rates. The focus group study obtained consumer reactions to
several model contraceptive efficacy tables and graphs. Using findings
from the study, the Center
for Devices and Radiological Health developed for further testing two prototype, composite tables with the
characteristics the focus group participants favored for uniform contraceptive
labeling.
Study Purpose
To utilize focus groups to garner reactions (perceptions, opinions,
beliefs, and attitudes) and preferences from women about the format
and content of the two different model contraceptive efficacy tables.
Participant Characteristics
The single and married premenopausal women participating in the study
were currently using or considering using a birth control method; had
not earned a bachelor's degree or above; had no more than two health
science or mathematics classes beyond the high school level; and had
not participated in a focus group in the past 12 months.
Recruitment Method
Women who had previously expressed interest in participating in focus
groups were recruited by phone.
Sample Questions from the Moderator's Guide
- What do you know about pregnancy rates?
- Where have you seen (or heard) information telling about pregnancy
rates for various birth control methods?
- Has this information about pregnancy rates been useful to you in
deciding on a particular birth control method?
- After showing each table:
- What does this table tell you?
- How easy to understand is this table?
- What information here is new to you?
- What did you especially like about this table?
- What did you dislike about this table?
- How useful is this information to you?
- What might you change, delete, or add to this table?
- How would you describe how well these tables help you understand
how effective your birth control method is compared to other birth control
methods?
- Is there any other format you would suggest?
- Is there any other information you would like to see in these tables?
- Is there anything else you want to say about the tables you've
seen today?
Major Findings
Participants were equally divided between their preference for each
of the two tables. Although they did not clearly demonstrate an overwhelming
preference for one table over the other, most participants found that
the tables met the goal of helping them to understand how effective
their birth control method was in comparison to other methods.
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