Achieving Broad Participation in Congregational Health Surveys at African American and Latino Churches. Issue 1 (February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hawes-Dawson, Jennifer; Derose, Kathryn P.; Aunon, Frances M.; Dominguez, Blanca X.; Felton, Alexandria; Mata, Michael A.; Oden, Clyde W.; Paffen, Sandra
• Is Part Of: Field methods. Volume 29:Issue 1(2017:Feb.)
• Page Start: 79
• Page End: 94
• Publication Date: 2017-02
• Subjects: Ethnology -- Methodology -- Periodicals; Anthropology -- Methodology -- Periodicals; Anthropologie -- Méthodologie -- Périodiques; 306.072
• DOI: 10.1177/1525822X16648588
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1525-822X

Abstract

Congregation-based health program evaluations often rely on surveys, but little documentation is available regarding specific methods and challenges. Here we describe methods used to achieve acceptable response rates (73–79%) in a survey of HIV-related attitudes and behaviors in two African American and three Latino churches in high HIV-prevalence communities in Los Angeles County. Survey participation was enhanced by conducting survey sessions at church-based meetings (e.g., women's Bible study) and after worship services; employing diverse survey staff; providing participation incentives for pastors, church coordinators, and survey participants; and working collaboratively and respectfully with congregational leaders. Achieving broad participation in church-based surveys on sensitive health topics is feasible when done collaboratively with congregational leaders and with a flexible protocol, which permits tailoring survey approaches to cultural and organizational contexts and leverages available resources appropriately.