Data collection
The strategic selection of SFI schools was based on the number of people who received a residence permit as asylum seekers in each municipality and district in 2012 [9]. Eligible SFI schools with more than 30 students were selected from each community in the four counties. If more than one school in the community met the criteria, one school was randomly selected. Nineteen schools agreed to participate and were interviewed for data collection.
A team of one researcher (first author) and several language educators visited each school to collect data. SFI students were informed verbally about the project and their voluntary participation. Eligible participants were divided into groups based on their native language. They were then introduced to the project in their native language and verbal consent was sought. Those willing to participate were sent questionnaires and completed them on site. 21% of participants with reading or writing difficulties (70 out of 360) were supported by a language support worker who read to them and helped them complete the questionnaire.
Materials and Analysis
Data were collected using a 60-item questionnaire focusing on health, HL and HEA experiences. Questions about the HEA were based on the results of a previous qualitative exploratory pilot study (Åkerman E and Wångdahl J, 2014, “Unpublished observations”). Language advocates translated the questionnaire into Arabic, Somali, Dari and English following instrument translation guidelines [31].