Lessons learned from taking data collection to the "hood"

Culturally appropriate measures are needed to analyze the effectiveness of HIV prevention interventions. An effective strategy to ensure the culturally appropriateness of measures is the inclusion of participants from the targeted community via participatory action research. Conducting the research process within the community is one method of maximizing greater community participation. The purpose of this paper is to describe a method of pilot testing an instrument within community settings. Findings presented focus primarily on the process of the method, rather than on a statistical outcome testing of the instrument. The sample was 200 African-American women recruited in networks drawn from two rural and two mid-sized counties in North Florida. Methodological issues encountered and resolved through ongoing process evaluation are presented as lessons learned with recommendations and implications.