Focus group interview: a research technique for informed nursing practice

AIDS has become a leading cause of death for women between the ages of 25 and 34. An overwhelming proportion of these women are Black (52%) or Hispanic (20%). Despite the disproportionate number of minority women who are HIV infected, the majority of AIDS educational programmes have been directed at the White gay male. The purpose of this paper is to present a qualitative research technique which used focus group interviews to promote the development of a programme devised to reduce risk behaviours in minority populations. A summary of the investigation and implications for nursing are also presented.