related to the study focus (Fatemeh, 2004; Rice and Ezzy, 2001). FGD is built on the notion that the group interaction encourages participants to explore and clarify individual and shared
perspectives on the research issue being studied(Fatemeh, 2004 ). Moreover, in FGDs the dynamics of the groups helps to trigger discussion, gain insights and generate panoramic views, ideas in order to pursue a topic in greater depth(Freeman 2006)
The researcher chooses the instrument deliberately so as to develop a more complex
understanding of phenomena being studied ( Rice and Ezzy, 2001 ). Topics and issues related to maternal health are often more discussed in focus groups. The researcher believes that such group interviews would give a more in-depth understanding of the context to produce data and insights with the interaction in the group ( Kvale , 2009). Therefore, it is selected as an appropriate method of data collection to explore the different facets of situations and lived experiences on women's maternal health information.
Five FGDs in five rural kebeles were conducted with women to examine and explore their perceptions, opinion and lived experience about sources of health information and challenges women faced in accessing and looking for information. A standard list of questions was prepared in advance to guide the interviews and ensure cultural appropriateness and clarity.
The FGD sessions were carried out by a discussion guide which contain a list of questions that guides the sessions in a focused, yet flexible and conversational manner(See appendix).
A pilot FGD was carried out, using a convenience sample of seven mothers to test the FGD interview questions and evaluate. From the pilot interview, the researcher was learnt that there were difficulties in understanding few general questions. For example, few women were seen struggling to define the term health and maternal health information in their level. At a time of
discussion there was also a trend to talk over each other. Following the pretesting of FGD guide and in the whole course of the interview, the researcher rephrases terms and slightly changed questions down to their level of understanding depending on the nature of the group. In relation to talking over each other, women’s were informed to speak individually and listen patiently . The moderator plays a key role and is instrumental to FGD sessions. As gender may play a significant role for encouraging respondents to openly share their views and opinions freely , the researcher selected and trained a female moderator ( a social worker), experienced in facilitating and moderating group discussion, to conduct the focus group discussions. Before the FGD, the moderator introduced all participants, explained the general topic of discussions, and let
participants know that everyone should contribute their ideas(Basch ,1987).
Each group discussion lasted approximately one-and-a-half hours. However, women were given as much time as they needed to articulate their ideas, opinions and experiences. During the course of the interview, participants were encouraged to use local terms and concepts to describe their opinions , knowledge and practices, and so that it would be easy to construct a picture of the socio-cultural dynamics that influence maternal health information and the information seeking behavior of the rural community. All interviews were tape recorded and translated into (verbatim) into English.
3.3.2. Individual in-Depth Interviews (IDIs)
In-depth interviews are popular in the field of research for their effectiveness in giving a human face to research problems( Kvale , 2009). It is an instrument which offers the opportunity in which qualitative researchers seek to understand the perceptions, feelings and knowledge of
people in a way ordinary life affords them . They allow and provide an opportunity for the researcher to yield rich , detailed information about an issue or experience ( Kvale , 2009).
The qualitative research interview attempts to understand the world from the subject's point of view and it also helps to unfold and explore the meaning and gain insight into how people interpret their lived world experiences ( Kvale ,2009). IDIs are the most common widely used method for obtaining data for qualitative health research ( Kvale , 2009). Accordingly, the researcher employed in depth individual interviews. Researcher recommend that conducting individual in-depth interviews following the focus-group discussions allows the researcher to have deeper insight into the chosen topics (Krueger, 1998; Strickland,1999 ). Taking this in mind and based on the information identified during the FGDs sessions , the researcher conducted individual in-depth interviews with selected participants to know their personal perspective, opinions and perceptions on the research topic(Silverman, 2001).
the Researcher has designed a couple of questions in advance, is free to modify and ask new questions that follow up interviewees’ replies based on the situations that is most appropriate in the context of the discussion (Robinson, 1993). Accordingly, two distinct semi structured interview guides were prepared beforehand, one for women another for health information providers( see Appendix). This allowed the researcher staying within the research’s focus while at the same time it helped to expand or refine questions and discussions as the interviews went on. Moreover, in the guide the researcher has list of questions to used during the course of the interview and further questions can be introduced in response to comments made by the interviewee. In all the interview sessions, the researcher tend not asked questions as exactly written in the interview guide rather asked detailed question based on the issues respondent’s
touches on and expand on issues that appear to be relevant or unclear. This helped the researcher to get detailed information without disrupting the flow of the conversation
Before the interview sessions the interviewer underlined on the fact that the researcher was interested to know primarily only about their experience on maternal health information rather than on the nature of their maternal related illness, diagnosis and treatments. In-depth interviews were then conducted with purposively selected members of focus groups . Apart from them , interviews were done with other selected women , health officials working in the rural health centers and with a media practitioner. As a follow up mechanism, the researcher selected one participant from each focus group who exhibited better knowledge of health information and conducted in depth interviews. The individual in-depth interviews were primarily focused on their lived experiences on maternal health information provision, and dissemination and on the overall bottlenecks in seeking , accessing and disseminating maternity information.
3.3.3. Secondary Data / Documents
The researcher reviewed secondary source materials both on the health information concepts and practices relevant to the research subject. Relevant scientific journals, articles and books from different resource were referred. Additionally, publications from government and official documents on health including maternal health were also extensively consulted to get clearer idea and background information pertinent to the research topic.