Data analysis

Quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 14. Descriptive data was presented as percentages or as mean ± standard deviations. Significance of associations was tested using Chi square for categorical variables and Student’s t-test for continuous variables. Directed content analysis of qualitative data was conducted with the assistance of NVIVO v10.0 (QSR International, Southport, UK). The topics/themes were selected prior to the analysis and participants’ responses were grouped under these topics/themes. The facilitator and two observers were entrusted with the task of providing an analysis of verbal and non-verbal responses of participants in each FGD within twenty-four hours of conclusion. The facilitator and two observers analyzed their respective FGD using their field notes and the audio tape-recorded data collectively immediately after the conclusion of the FGD. The resulting transcripts were returned to participants for comment and/or correction. Each FGD produced one complete document, and all documents were collectively analyzed by the research team. A similar method was used for the analysis of the data emerging from the IDIs.