Customizing survey instruments and data collection to reach Hispanic/Latino adults in border communities in Texas.

Authors: O'Hegarty M, Pederson LL, Thorne SL, Caraballo RS, Evans B, Athey L, McMichael J.

This research sought to modify an instrument and to use it to collect information on smoking knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors among Hispanics/Latinos, and to adapt survey methods to obtain high participation levels. Promotoras (outreach workers) conducted face-to-face interviews. Strategic, targeted, carefully designed methods and surveys can achieve high reach and response rates in hard-to-reach populations. Similar procedures could be used to obtain cooperation of groups who may not be accessible with traditional methods.