This study examines the feasibility of utilizing focus group research as an alternative to a knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) survey. Data from focus group research on male attitudes towards voluntary sterilization and other family planning issues is compared to a sample survey conducted among the same population. Both studies shared the same objectives. The principal objective of the comparison is to evaluate whether the focus groups provide comparable results for program planning purposes The study was conducted from May to August of 1987 in low-income semi-urban areas of Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Twelve focus group sessions were conducted among men between the ages of 30 and 50. Subsequently, a household survey of 959 men in this age range was conducted in the same communities The research content was broken down into 43 variables and each variable was classified on the basis of the agreement between the results from the focus groups and the survey. It was found that for the majority of the variables examined, (62.8 percent) the results were classified as similar or highly similar. The focus groups provided more information for a somewhat higher number of variables (24.4 percent) than the survey, (24.4 percent to 19.5 percent, respectively). The focus group information was found to be more complete with respect to attitudinal variables, while the survey was found to be stronger for the provision of information concerning population characteristics of the population, knowledge and practices. The focus groups also provided more information for a majority of the variables which related directly to program planning (those which reflected potential demand and population preferences concerning services) The final conclusion of the study was that for the purposes of program management and planning, the results of focus group research can be comparable to those derived from a KAP survey. Furthermore, the focus group research can be conducted at a much lower cost (18 percent of the cost of the survey)
