Cultural Adaptations in Data Collection

SUMMARY

We assessed the data collection phase of a study that examines the substance using and other health behaviors of a cohort of 160 dyads of Latino mothers and daughters living in South Florida (N = 320), by conducting a focus group with the study's interviewers. The objective of the focus group was to assess the appropriateness of the questionnaire utilized in the Latino Women's Study, and identify potential barriers and challenges that may be encountered when conducting research with Latino women in the United States. The results from this focus provide useful insight into the practice of cultural adaptations in research studies, and illustrate the need for employing culturally-informed interviewers and for devising well-adapted questionnaires in studies with Latino women.

Key Words:

• Latino women
• focus group
• substance use
• questionnaire