Recorded presentation

Heather M. Brandt, PhD, CHES¹, Patricia A. Sharpe, PhD, MPH¹, and Donna H. McCree, PhD, MPH, RPh². (1) Prevention Research Center, University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health, 730 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29208, 803-777-7676, hbrandt@sc.edu, (2) Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Behavioral Interventions and Research Branch, 1600 Clifton Rd Mailstop E-44, Atlanta, GA 30333

BACKGROUND: Cognitive interviewing is a technique used for survey questionnaire development. It allows for assessment of question comprehension, information retrieval, and decision processes of participants. For this research, high-risk HPV positive women living in rural SC were cognitively interviewed to inform development of an HPV telephone questionnaire. This region has lower literacy levels as compared to the rest of SC.

METHODS: Audiotaped, cognitive interviews were conducted with eight low-income, high-risk HPV positive women (ages 24-54) attending four primary health care clinics. The interview guide focused on key terminology and phrasing of the quantitative, HPV telephone questionnaire. Participants were instructed on ‘thinking aloud’ and notifying the interviewer of unclear words or phrases. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded for key issues using note-based analysis.

RESULTS: Analysis revealed several important issues for consideration. Participants recommended emphasis on privacy of their responses. Participants identified medical terms (e.g., cryotherapy, colposcopy) that were unfamiliar to them, phrasing of items that provoked confusion (e.g., specific dates, response options), and commented on questions that initiated unexpected emotional response (e.g., lifetime sexual partners, sexual assault). Participants stressed the need for information on HPV and words of encouragement to be given at the conclusion of the interview.

CONCLUSIONS: Subsequent changes were made to the questionnaire to improve quality of data collected. Cognitive interviewing can be useful for questionnaire development, especially among participants of lower literacy levels. Involving participants in all stages of questionnaire development can provide feedback to researchers and necessary modifications can be made prior to further pretesting.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

(
• Explain how cognitive interviewing can be used in questionnaire development; (
• Discuss positive attributes of cognitive interviewing when working with a low literacy population; and (
• Identify specific benefits of conducting cognitive interviews for development of HPV questionnaires.

Keywords: Women's Health, Cervical Cancer

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation