The link between drug use and HIV/AIDS among young people in ...

3.5 Analysis
Descriptive analysis was utilized to summarize the data provided by participants. Content analysis was
utilized to determine the frequency of topics being discussed and also sought to identify and to
establish the relative importance of the repeated theme by focus groups.
Data obtained from the questionnaires was analyzed by the use of Statistical Package for the Social
Sciences (SPSS) to obtain simple frequency tests to assess the range of data. Responses have been
tabulated and expressed graphically to analyze and present data.
3.6 Limitations of the Study
The following limitations were identified within the undertaking of the study:
1. There were a few absentees for most focus group discussions. This was largely a result of the
timeframe of the study in the case of in school youth, particularly given end of term
examinations and graduation preparations, as well as the busy festive season.
2. Recruiting out of school youth proved challenging since these young persons seem not too
keen on participating in such a project, particularly the male participants. Attracting
participants from organized institutions, for example the Programme for Adolescent Mothers
(PAM) proved more effective. Nonetheless, the youth who participated in the focus group
discussions were very open in expressing their views on the issues of drugs and HIV/AIDS.
3. The questionnaire was not tested prior to administering it to focus group participants since in
the research consultant’s perspective the questionnaire was comprehensible. It appeared that
there were some slight problems among some youth in understanding the questionnaire,
particularly those considered as out of school youth who were unable to read. It also appeared
that the tabulated and/or series questions demanded greater concentration and understanding by
the out of school youths.
4. Though there were slight difficulties in the recording of participants’ responses, the recordings
were relatively audible and provided substantial information for analysis.
5. The presentation of the transcribed data and the lack of clarity in specific respondents
verbalizing their individual points made it impossible for researcher to determine the frequency
of topics discussed at each focus group session.
6. No existing data was obtained from hospitals, health centres and rehabilitation clinics to
outline the correlation between teenage pregnancy, drug use and HIV/AIDS cases. Further,
secondary data from rehabilitation treatment centres does not reveal whether patients were of
Grenadian nationality. This would have helped to give greater quality to the research process,
given that the major aspect of the study focused on HIV/AIDS and drug abuse.
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