Application of Qualitative Methods in Program Planning for Health Promotion Interventions

The use of qualitative methods can provide an in-depth understanding of the issues and barriers related to community health and can help to inform the planning of health promotion programs and interventions. Although there are many examples in the literature that describe the application of quantitative data to program planning, few articles explicitly describe the application of qualitative data, such as data gathered using focus groups, in-depth interviews, and windshield tours, in program planning. Using the East Side Village Health Worker Partnership in Detroit, Michigan, as a case study example, this article explains the methods of incorporating qualitative data into each stage of program planning and development, including community assessment, development of goals and objectives, implementation of activities, and program evaluation.