ArticleJMIR formative research2021
WhatsApp-Based Focus Groups Among Mexican-Origin Women in Zika Risk Area: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Data Quality.
Article in JMIR formative research, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- YouTube User Traffic to Paired Epilepsy Education Videos in English and Spanish: Comparative Study.JMIR formative research · 2025Article
- Amplifying voices: The transformative power of voice and voice economy.African journal of disability · 2025Article
- Implementation of telepsychiatry in Kenya: acceptability study.BJPsych open · 2022Article
- Using WhatsApp Focus Group Discussions to Collect Qualitative Data Collection During a Pandemic: Exploring Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of COVID-19 in Singapore.International journal of qualitative methods · 2022Article
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundDespite unprecedented advances in worldwide access to the internet via smartphones, barriers to engaging hard-to-reach populations remain in many methods of health research. A potential avenue for conducting qualitative research is via participatory web-based media, including the free, popular social platform WhatsApp. However, despite the clear advantages of engaging with participants over a well-established web-based platform, logistical challenges remain.
objectiveThis study aims to report evidence on the feasibility and acceptability of WhatsApp as a method to conduct focus groups.
methodsA pilot focus group was conducted with Spanish-speaking women near the US-Mexico border. The content focus was knowledge and perceived risks for exposure to the Zika virus during pregnancy.
resultsEvidence was obtained regarding WhatsApp as a low-cost, logistically feasible methodology that resulted in rich qualitative data from a population that is often reticent to engage in traditional research. A total of 5 participants participated in a focus group, of whom all 5 consistently contributed to the focus group chat in WhatsApp, which was conducted over 3 consecutive days.
conclusionsThe findings are noteworthy at a time when face-to-face focus groups, the gold standard, are risky or precluded by safe COVID-19 guidelines. Other implications include more applications and evaluations of WhatsApp for delivering one-on-one or group health education interventions on sensitive topics. This paper outlines the key steps and considerations for the replication or adaptation of methods.
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