Exploring Health Priorities in the Barbershop: A Modified Delphi Study of Barbers’ and Clients’ Views on What is Important and What is Feasible

Barbershops are a place of cultural significance for many Black men and have been the site of successful health promotion programming; yet, efforts conducted in barbershops should recognize the contextual and organizational constraints of the site. The present study used a modified Delphi poll to identify health topics that were important among Black men and feasible to address in the barbershop according to barbers (Round 1) and clients (Round 2). A total of 63 individuals participated in this study (n = 29 barbers and n = 34 clients). Barbers were presented with 54 health topics and were asked to rate the importance and feasibility of addressing each health topic among Black men in the barbershop. Results were then plotted in a Go-Zone plot with four quadrants-(Go-Zone 1) high importance and feasibility;(Go-Zone2)low importance and high feasibility;(Go-Zone3) low importance and feasibility ;and(Go-Zone4)high importance and low feasibility. Results in Go-Zones 1, 2, and 4 were then presented to clients. Results were then plotted again and t-tests were performed to examine differences between barbers and clients. Final results visually display the importance/feasibility of each health concern according to barbers and clients. Additionally, t-test analyses indicate that barbers view health concerns as more important/feasible than their clients. The results of this study have important implications for the contextually-aligned design and implementation of health promotion programming in barbershops.