Using mixed methods to generate data with women participating in U.S. microenterprise

Background: Microenterprise programs provide vulnerable populations, the majority of whom are women, access to educational and financial resources to start businesses. Many international microenterprise programs focus on the health and employment relationship, but the United States (US) lags behind in this area. The purpose of this study was to: 1) explore how women discuss health and the challenges of working in a U.S. microenterprise, and 2) assess the feasibility of using on-line health instruments to collect data for this population.

Methods: Three focus groups (n=9) were conducted to address the first aim of the study. On-line surveys (n=23) using REDCap were administered to address the second aim.

Results: The findings revealed that although having freedom, flexibility, and independence was rewarding; self-care and work-life balance while sustaining a microenterprise was challenging. The majority (92%) of women completed all questionnaires and indicated that on-line surveys were a good way to share health information. Importantly, 64% of the participants reported that they were likely or very likely to participate in on-line surveys about their health in the future. Finally, 72% indicated that on-line surveys were more meaningful than 1:1 interviews or focus groups in terms of sharing information.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that on-line surveys (less costly) are a feasible method to collect health-related data among women with microenterprises. Women have been shown to be good social and economic investors and a strong link to generational health. Investing in their health has the potential to decrease health disparities and improve population health.