State-Of-Black-Oregon-2015

APPENDIX DBLACK OLDER ADULTS FOCUS GROUPSEXPLANATION OF ANALYSISThe purpose of the focus groups was to hear first-hand perspectives and experiences of Portland’solder Black population on issues related to health and aging, quality of life, neighborhood and place,race and racism, the impact of gentrification and other significant issues as defined by focus groupparticipants. Findings were written to inform the State of Black Oregon 2015 report. The followingreport is a summary of focus group findings.METHODSParticipants were recruited using paper and digital flyers. Five focus groups were held with thenumber of participants per group ranging from six to nine. Total number of participants was 41,though only 39 participants completed the brief demographic survey administered at the start ofeach group. Focus groups took place at two centers in North Portland: four focus groups were atthe Urban League of Portland and one group at the Q Center. Participants received an informationsheet about the purpose of the focus groups and completed a brief demographic survey precedingdiscussion. The focus group moderator for each group asked the same set of open-ended questionsbased on a semi-structured moderator guide, as well as follow-up questions that allowed forfurther probing into issues and experiences brought up within each group. Focus group discussionwas approximately one hour. Discussion was digitally recorded and professionally transcribed.Participants were compensated for their time with a $25 store voucher and provided with light,healthy refreshments.ANALYSISFocus group transcripts were entered into Atlas.ti 7.0 qualitative software program. Transcriptswere coded for recurrent themes and salient issues. Themes and salient issues were analyzedand summarized by Drs. Croff and Boise, who are trained in qualitative research methods.Representative quotes for themes and salient issues were selected for inclusion in this report.LIMITATIONSFocus group participants were Portland and near-Portland area residents and African American,which limits our understanding of the wider geographic and more diverse Black population inOregon. While a focus group for African immigrants and refugees was arranged, circumstancesbeyond our control resulted in cancellation of this focus group.DEMOGRAPHIC SURVEY RESULTSThirty-nine of the 41 focus group participants elected to fill out the demographic survey prior togroup discussion. The demographic survey asked about gender, year born, marital status, highestlevel of education completed, employment status, household income, if the participant is caring forrelatives or others in the same home, how many people are currently living in the household, whatarea of Portland does the participant live in and how long has the participant lived in his or hercurrent location. The following tables present demographic results from the 39 participants thatcompleted the survey. Numbers in parentheses indicate number of participants.191