252458 Development of a Questionnaire to Assess Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavior/Practices in a US-based Refugee Population

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Esther N. Munene, MBA, PhD , Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Jessica Greenwood, MSPH, MD , Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Karol L. Kumpfer, PhD , Department of Health Promotion and Education, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
M. Jann DeWitt, PhD , Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Peter Weir, MPH, MD , Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Steve Alder, PhD , Clinical and Translational Science for Community Engagement Core, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Background: Although questionnaires are popular data collection tools, there are few valid, reliable, culturally sensitive tools for use with populations affected by conflict. Moreover, many questionnaires, developed in English provide misleading findings in different cultural settings, where some concepts are unfamiliar and reference values are different from those of English-speaking populations.

Objective: To develop and validate a culturally appropriate questionnaire for assessing HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes, and behavior/practices (KAB/P) in a US-based Burundi refugee population.

Methods: The questionnaire was developed in seven steps: 1) extensive literature review; 2) three interviews with community leaders; 3) three focus group sessions; 4) five individual interviews; 5) cross-cultural adaption and translation. Each step was dependent upon refinement of previous steps. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Validity was assessed using a pilot test and a panel of experts.

Results: We developed a valid, reliable, and culturally sensitive questionnaire for obtaining self-reported measures of HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes, and behavior/practices. The questionnaire consisted of 57 items grouped into 6 dimensions: 1) social demographic characteristics; 2) knowledge of HIV/AIDS; 3) attitude; 4) behavior/practices; 5) self-efficacy; and 6) informational needs. The questionnaire was shown to have good validity and reliability (Cronbach's Alpha ≥0.70.

Discussion: The KAB/P questionnaire is a culturally-relevant, valid and reliable tool. To our knowledge, this is the first study to develop a valid, reliable, and culturally-relevant questionnaire for use in refugee settings. The questionnaire can be cross-culturally adapted for non-English speaking populations.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Other professions or practice related to public health
Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
By the end of the session, each participant will be able to: 1) Describe the seven steps involved in the design and validation of a culturally relevant questionnaire; 2) Discuss the importance of cultural competency to future research on the intersection of HIV/AIDS and forced displacement in refugee communities on the U.S. mainland.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Cultural Competency

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a university researcher in the fields of HIV prevention, care and treatment. I am the principal investigator on this study.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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