Using focus groups to develop a culturally sensitive videotape intervention for HIV-positive women

Research-based interventions for women with the human immunodeficiency viru s (HIV) are usually developed without input from the women who receive the intervention. An exploratory study was performed using focus group methodol ogy to develop a culturally sensitive videotape intervention for educating HIV-positive women about pregnancy and antiretroviral use. Women who met th e study criteria were HIV-positive and of childbearing age. These women vol unteered to participate in the focus groups to provide information on decis ions concerning pregnancy and antiretroviral use during pregnancy to decrea se perinatal transmission. A total of five focus groups were conducted in 1 998. Responses to three questions that were relevant to the video are prese nted in this article. Information gained from the focus groups was used suc cessfully to develop a videotape currently being used in a multisite interv ention study. Focus group methodology is a useful strategy to develop cultu rally and content relevant educational interventions for research and pract ice.