Cognitive Interviews Conducted in Spanish: A Method for Enhancing a Hispanic Infant Feeding Questionnaire.

Research indicates that using cognitive interview techniques, that are qualitative in nature, can enhance the quality of health survey instruments. This study was conducted during the formative phase of the Un Bebe Saludable: Un Regalo Muy Especial (A Healthy Baby: A Very Special Gift) program. Cognitive interviews were conducted in Spanish in an effort to improve the quality of a Hispanic infant feeding behavior survey designed to evaluate a peer education program for Latina mothers participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Results indicate that a small sample of cognitive interviews can improve the level of question comprehension and the ease at which respondents can process the information from specific survey items. Our experience suggests that adding cognitive interviewing to conventional field pre-testing and back-translation techniques during the development of Hispanic health surveys may enhance the quality of the health behavior data that are generated.