Focus group consent - Family and cultural impact

“Family and Cultural Impact on STD and HIV Risk among Latino and African-American Youth”

Attachment 2a. Focus Group Consent

Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level 7.6

California State University, Dominguez Hills

Consent to be in a Research Study

Thank you for your interest in this research study. Before you decide whether to agree to be in this study, please read this form along with me as I read it aloud and ask as many questions as you need to be sure you know what you will be asked to do.

Introduction: This research study is being done by Dr. Carl Sneed, from Cal State Dominguez Hills and is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What is the purpose of this study? The purpose of this study is to find out how African American mothers/caregivers talk to their children about sex. This study will also help us know how much parents use “tips for talking with their children about sex” that they get from other people and places like TV and the internet.

Why am I being asked to be in this study? We are asking you to be in this study because you are an African American mom with a child between the ages of 12 to 15 years old.

How long will you need me? You are asked to be in a focus group (a small meeting) that will last about 60 to 90 minutes.

What is going to happen during the study? At the focus group, we will ask you to give your first name or a nick name to call you by. You will be asked to wear a name tag with your name or nickname on it. Some people who are working on the study will take notes during the focus group. Also, we plan to record what you and the other moms say on audio tape. The tapes will help us learn more about what is said by all of you.

What do you want me to do if I decide to be in this study? During the focus group, you and 6-11 other moms will be asked to tell us about what you have told your children about sex and your ideas about sex education.

Are there any risks to me if I decide to be in this study? There is low risk to you if you decide to be in this study. Since we may ask the group to discuss a lot of personal questions during the focus group, you may feel uneasy or have some concerns. You do not have to respond to any questions you do not want to.

Are there any benefits from being in this study? By being in this study you may be able to learn new ways to talk to your children about sex.

Will the things I tell you be kept private? The things you tell us during the focus group will be kept secure by the research staff. We will safeguard your identify and information that you supply. That is, we will not tell anyone what you said and we will not tell anyone that you were part of a focus group.

What is going to happen with the audio tapes of the focus groups? After the focus group, a person working on the study will listen to the audio tape and take notes on what was said by each person. On these notes, all names will be changed to “person 1”, “person 2,” “person 3” and so on. Only the people working on the study will be able to listen to the tapes. At the end of the study, we will erase the tapes and throw them away.

The tapes and notes will be used to write papers on what we have found. We will share our findings with the Boys & Girls Club, the Long Beach Department of Health, and the people working on the study. These people will review the focus group reports to help us understand what we have found. We also hope to make public our findings in a journal magazine, so that we can share what we found with other people. At no time, will anyone be able to know what you said or that you were in this study from anything that we write. We will also share our findings with you and the other moms who take part in the focus groups. You may also have a copy of any of the reports by getting in touch with us or giving us a number where we can call you.

Is there any cost if I take part in this study? The only cost to you for being in this study is your time for coming here today.

Is there any reimbursement if I take part in this study? After the focus group, we will give you $50. This is a token of appreciation for the time you spent with us. You will receive this token even if you do not finish the focus group.

Who should I call if I have questions about this study or think I may have gotten sick or been harmed by this study? If you have any questions about this study or your rights for being in this study, you may call Dr. Carl Sneed, 310-243-3463, or the Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects at CSUDH, 310-243-3756.

Who should I call if I have questions about my rights as a study volunteer? If you have any questions about your rights as a study volunteer, you may call the Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects at California State University, Dominguez Hills, 310-243-3756.

Do I have to be in this study? You do not have to be in this study, it is up to you if you want to or not. Your choice will not change your relationship with California State University, Dominguez Hills or the Boys & Girls Club. You can stop being in this study at any time without any penalty or loss of benefits.

Do you have any further questions about this study?

Please print and sign your name below if you agree to be in this study and have your comments recorded during the focus group. By signing your name you also agree that you have read this form and have had a chance to ask any questions you may have about the study. You will be given a copy of this consent form for you to take with you.

__________________________________

Print your Name Date

Sign your Name Date

Will you allow us to keep your contact information so we can provide you the results of the focus group? Circle yes or no.

Yes No (Please do not recontact me)

I observed the process of consent. The prospective participant read or was read this form, was given the chance to ask questions, appeared to accept the answers, and signed to enroll in the study.

Signature of Research Staff Date