TY - JOUR
T1 - Integrating qualitative and quantitative methods
T2 - Comparing HIV-related risk behaviors among Puerto Rican drug users in Puerto Rico and New York
AU - Deren, S.
AU - Oliver-Velezl, D.
AU - Finlinson, A.
AU - Robles, R.
AU - Andia, J.
AU - Colón, H. M.
AU - Kang, S. Y.
AU - Shedlin, M.
N1 - Funding Information:
This research was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Grant No. DA1O425. The authors also acknowledge Mark Beardsley, Ph.D., and Theresa Perlis, Ph.D., for their contribution to earlier versions of this manuscript.
PY - 2003
Y1 - 2003
N2 - A dual site project was conducted to assess determinants of injection and sex-related risk behaviors among Puerto Rican drug users. The project focused on injection drug users and crack smokers, and was conducted in East Harlem, NY and Bayamón, PR in 1996-2000. Qualitative methods included ethnographic mapping, focus groups, in-depth interviews, and observations. A survey component (East Harlem, n = 800; Bayamón, n = 400) was also conducted. Procedures to ensure integration of methodologies and comparability of data were developed. This paper describes the qualitative and survey methods used, and presents the comparative HIV risk behaviors. The integration of the two methodologies served multiple functions: each component identified issues to be addressed in the other, enhanced cross-site comparability of data, and assisted in interpretation of findings. The survey data showed high levels of risk behaviors in both communities, with significantly higher levels of risk reported in Bayamón. Conducting studies of similar ethnic groups in different communities provides opportunities to examine diverse sources of influence on risk behaviors. The integration of qualitative and quantitative methods can enhance comparability and understanding of findings, particularly when there are differences in behaviors between communities.
AB - A dual site project was conducted to assess determinants of injection and sex-related risk behaviors among Puerto Rican drug users. The project focused on injection drug users and crack smokers, and was conducted in East Harlem, NY and Bayamón, PR in 1996-2000. Qualitative methods included ethnographic mapping, focus groups, in-depth interviews, and observations. A survey component (East Harlem, n = 800; Bayamón, n = 400) was also conducted. Procedures to ensure integration of methodologies and comparability of data were developed. This paper describes the qualitative and survey methods used, and presents the comparative HIV risk behaviors. The integration of the two methodologies served multiple functions: each component identified issues to be addressed in the other, enhanced cross-site comparability of data, and assisted in interpretation of findings. The survey data showed high levels of risk behaviors in both communities, with significantly higher levels of risk reported in Bayamón. Conducting studies of similar ethnic groups in different communities provides opportunities to examine diverse sources of influence on risk behaviors. The integration of qualitative and quantitative methods can enhance comparability and understanding of findings, particularly when there are differences in behaviors between communities.
KW - Crack users
KW - Injection drug users (IDUs)
KW - Puerto Rican drug users
KW - Qualitative and quantitative methods
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0037272505&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0037272505&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1081/JA-120016563
DO - 10.1081/JA-120016563
M3 - Article
C2 - 12602804
AN - SCOPUS:0037272505
SN - 1082-6084
VL - 38
SP - 1
EP - 24
JO - Substance Use and Misuse
JF - Substance Use and Misuse
IS - 1
ER -