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Trainee Focus Groups Held in Kenya

In February 2023, as part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) D71 TABASAMU grant (1D71TW011823-01) awarded to the University of Washington and University of Nairobi, a series of focus groups were conducted in Kenya to explore the potential trainees’ knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and barriers of oral health research capacity within the country. The focus groups took place in four cities including Kisumu, Eldoret, Nairobi, and Mombasa.

Dr. Jenipher Ober-Oluoch (far right) with the focus group attendees in Kisumu, Kenya
Dr. Jenipher Ober-Oluoch (far right) with the focus group attendees in Kisumu, Kenya

Dr. Jenipher Ober-Oluoch facilitated the groups and used the nominal focus group technique to explore potential future trainees’ perceptions of oral health research capacity. The nominal group technique involved the identification of two key themes or concepts related to oral health research capacity, which were then used to guide the discussion among participants. This technique has advantages over traditional focus groups such as including everyone in the exercise, and it reduces the possibility of conflict within groups.

Some of the focus group attendees in Nairobi, Kenya
Some of the focus group attendees in Nairobi, Kenya

Overall, the focus groups provided valuable insights into the oral health providers’ beliefs and attitudes towards oral health research capacity in Kenya. The data collected will be used to inform the development of a D43 NIH training grant aimed at increasing opportunities for trainees to engage in research training and projects within Kenya.

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