Running head: INDIVIDUAL ARTICLE CRITIQUE 1

Individual Article Critique

Giselle Rojas
HSCI 6260
Professor Mshigeni
12 March 2022
INDIVIDUAL ARTICLE CRITIQUE 2

Individual Article Critique

Introduction

An article by Hong et al. (2005) aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of using an ethnographic

process evaluation for an HIV intervention program. One main factor for using an ethnographic

process evaluation is the importance of creating a culturally appropriate program. Also, the

article aims to address the lack of research in areas such as pilot stage process evaluations. The

program implements ethnographic process evaluations to gain knowledge on improving their

conducted HIV prevention program.

Methods

The study took place in Baltimore, Maryland where participants were recruited using outreach

strategies and advertising (Hong et al., 2005). The study method was developed using the social

influence theory and promoted harm reduction tools for injection drug users in five cohorts that

took place from 2003 to 2004 (Hong et al., 2005). Qualitative data was collected using

interviewing strategies and from data that was collected through participants during the

intervention. One way that the ethnographic process evaluation was conducted during the

program intervention was through the assignment of ethnographers. The primary purpose of the

ethnographer was to gather feedback from participants on their ability to comprehend and follow

through on the harm reduction information that was being given. Using this information,

throughout the program changes were implemented to address the feedback from the

participants.

Results

One result of the study found the importance of phrasing HIV prevention strategies to program

participants. Throughout the program, endographers were finding that participants were under
INDIVIDUAL ARTICLE CRITIQUE 3

the impression that the ultimate goal in the program was complete cessation of drug use rather

than the adoption of harm reduction practices (Hong et al., 2005). This resulted in the change of

focus to discussing the importance of harm reduction activities during group meetings. Another

result found that participants struggled to adopt health education skills because of confusion on

what educating partners meant. Endographers addressed this issue by using the phrase network

member instead of partners (Hong et al., 2005). Overall, the results found from the intervention

demonstarted the importance of verbiage used during the dessimenation of HIV prevention

startegies. Information gathered demonstrated the importance of addressing communication

strategies and adapting culturally sensitive educational strategies.

Process Evaluation

Process evaluation for this program intervention was done using ethnographic methods (Hong et

al., 2005). By utilizing this method, the program was able to adapt throughout the study to the

needs of the specific population of injection drug users. Also, the ethnographic method created a

culturally sensitive environment for the drug users. Hong et al. (2005) found that using the

ethnographic process allowed them to gather important qualitative data from participants because

of the close interactions they had with participants.

Article Opinions

What I liked

I found that the article did a great job at addressing the importance of creating a culturally

relevant program intervention. It addressed an important population group and provided

beneficial educational tools to address HIV prevention strategies. Also, I enjoyed reading about

the important role that wording and language has among creating culturally sensitive educational

tools.
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What I did not like

Areas I did not like about the article included its readability. I feel that the article could have

been benefited by the use of shorter headers thus improving the article’s readability. Also, the

article could be improved by creating better context for how the program intervention took place

and including some quantitative data for depicting the results of the intervention.
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Reference

Hong, Y., Mitchell, S. G., Peterson, J. A., Latkin, C. A., Tobin, K. & Gann, D. (2005).

Ethnographic Process Evaluation: Piloting an HIV Prevention Intervention Program

Among injection drug users. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 4(1), 1-12.