The development of a feasible community-specific cardiovascular disease prevention program: triangulation of methods and sources.

Triangulation of methods, sources, and investigators can lead to a multidimensional understanding of a particular issue. In this study, the combination of qualitative and quantitative data collection methods, and information from community and coalition members resulted in the development of a tailored community-specific intervention. Three components were triangulated after analyzing each separately. A household survey of community members between the ages of 25 and 64 years was conducted to identify knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to cardiovascular disease and to assess risk factor levels. Focus group discussions were conducted with community members to describe facilitators and barriers to healthy lifestyles, as well as possible interventions. Natural group discussions with coalition members analyzed the relevance, feasibility, affordability, acceptability, and sustainability of specific intervention activities. Results from the different components were compared and contrasted. Areas of added information, validation, and contradiction were analyzed and guided the development of intervention activities.