Online Focus Group Discussions: Exploring nutritional aspects of adolescent health with mothers in Sikanderpur and Nathupur

Introduction:

In the wake of the second wave of the pandemic, online Focus group Discussions were organized by the research team at PRIA. The focus-group discussions, which were planned as a face-to-face activity, had to be deferred due to the imposition of lockdown in Gurugram and adjoining areas.

In order to explore the social determinants behind nutritional intake of adolescents, two online FGDs were organized with the women in Sikanderpur and Nathupur during the last week of April, i.e., April 20 and 21.

The following research questions were addressed through the FGDs:

• How do mothers identify the nutritional requirement of their children?
• What challenges do the mothers face in ensuring the right amount of nutrition for their children?

Number of participants: Ten women from Sikanderpur participated in the FGD held on April 20 and five women from Nathupur participated in the FGD held on April 21.

Methodology:

The following methodology was used by the facilitators:

• Time Duration

60-90 minutes

• Group Size

Mixed gender group of 5-10 participants

• Learner Group

Women, who are mothers to adolescent children

• Session Requirements

Zoom cloud-based video conferencing application (participants must have smartphones with pre-loaded zoom app.)

• Number of facilitators required

2 (One facilitator can conduct this session, along with a co-facilitator)

• Instructions
• The facilitator begins the session with a brief introduction where each participant is given a chance to introduce themselves (their name, age, and their occupation)
• Post the introduction, the facilitator briefs the participants about the topic and the objective of the discussion.
• The first question posed to the participants: what are the essential food items that are required by an adolescent child in his/her growing years? Responses shared by the participants are noted in the interactive whiteboard and shared with the participants.
• After getting responses for the first question, facilitator further enquiries about the food items that the adolescents consume on a daily basis? The responses for this question are written given on a virtual plate called ‘MY SERVING PLATE’.  (See Fig.1)
• After this, the participants are further probed to understand the reasons for not being served the remaining items or the reasons for being restricted (from the initial list prepared by the participants from the first question). The responses are recorded and then analyzed.

Fig.1. ‘My serving plate’


Fig.2. Participants sharing a lighter moment during the discussion