Using Focus Groups to Create Culturally Appropriate HIV Prevention Material for the Deaf Community

Abstract

The Washington, DC Department of Health and the HIV/AIDS Administration in collaboration with Deaf-REACH, a Washington, DC community service center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HOH) individuals, sponsored a qualitative research study to develop HIV and AIDS prevention materials specifically targeted for the deaf and HOH community. This article describes the process of creating a prevention poster and condom card targeted for Deaf and HOH individuals who use American Sign Language. This study utilized a series of five focus groups with members of the deaf community. The focus groups targeted three areas: (1) assessment of needs; (2) designs for prevention materials in terms of language appropriateness, graphics, and cultural relevance; and, (3) final choice of design and evaluation of language, graphics, and cultural relevance. Results of the initial focus groups indicated that there was a lack of general knowledge about HIV and a lack of culturally specific prevention and education materials, especially for subgroups within the deaf community. In the second phase, group members provided suggestions for character placement, setting, and cultural cues for prevention materials. Finally, an HIV prevention poster and brochure were chosen, produced, and disseminated at places deaf individuals frequent. Practitioners who provide HIV services to the deaf community must be aware that traditional methods of educating and outreach to members used in the hearing community may not be effective in the deaf community. Consideration should be given to the unique cultural and linguistic needs of the deaf community.