Probing the Processes: Longitudinal Qualitative Research on Social Determinants of HIV

Abstract

Longitudinal qualitative research can provide rich understanding of the life circumstances of vulnerable groups who experience health inequities, of whether, how and why these circumstances change, and of how these circumstances and processes of change impact health. But, this rich understanding is not automatic and requires systematic and thoughtful approaches to data collection and analysis. The purpose of this paper is to describe two longitudinal qualitative studies embedded in mixed-methods studies of social determinants of HIV in the United States and the Dominican Republic. We compare these two studies to critically reflect on specific techniques that facilitate longitudinal and iterative data collection, management, and analysis, in particular the use of participant-specific matrices and analytic summaries across the distinct phases of the research. We conclude that combining cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis that engages with both themes and processes of change can contribute to improved contextualization and understanding of social determinants of HIV.

Social Determination of HIV: Women’s Relationship Work in the Context of Mass Incarceration and Housing Vulnerability

“…housing, CL experience, partners). We created a matrix for each participant that summarized each topical area per interview wave, and a master matrix that compiled summaries for topics across participants for all waves (see [41] for more detailed discussion).…”

Exploring peer navigation and support in the quality of HIV care experiences of female sex workers in the Dominican Republic

“…The current study drew from data from the second quantitative survey (at 12 months) in the DR from the parent study, while also utilizing the first two rounds of in-depth interviews from the qualitative subsample in the DR. Quantitative survey data was explored cross-sectionally. Meanwhile, we explored the in-depth interviews from a "repeated" [33] perspective to allow for a more in-depth exploration of peer navigation and support. As such, each interview presented an opportunity to enhance our understanding on the meaning and experiences conveyed by participants as it relates to their experiences with peer navigation and support.…”

A qualitative inquiry into the patient-related barriers to linkage and retention in HIV care within the community setting

“…Probing techniques were used to encourage openness and sharing of useful information with the participants. 35 …”