Facilitating health promoting ideas and actions: participatory research in an underserved Swedish residential area

Maria Magnusson,Heléne Bertéus Forslund,Katharina Wretlind,Christina Berg,Lisa M Vaughn

doi:10.1186/s12889-021-12431-y

Abstract

BackgroundFor an intervention to contribute to decreased health gaps, people living in underserved areas must participate in the research-to-action process during the development of the intervention. The purpose of this study was to collaborate with residents living in a Swedish underserved area to generate health and wellness priorities and actions.MethodsWe applied Group Level Assessment (GLA) together with people living in a Swedish neighborhood where obesity, dental caries and other illnesses are prevalent. GLA is a qualitative, participatory methodology that is designed for a large group to generate and evaluate relevant needs and priorities within a lens of action for positive social change. Residents were recruited by posters, postcards and snowball sampling. In total, 47 residents participated. Eight GLA sessions were held over a five-month time period.ResultsThe GLA sessions resulted in reflections, proposals and actions for change by the residents. Adolescent and parent need for support, improved communication and more meeting places were highlighted as priorities for promoting health and well-being. The results were presented for stakeholders in a report and an exhibition and some of the participants started a language café.ConclusionsGLA emphasised the participants’ perspective. The participatory process helped them identify what they thought valuable and relevant concerning health issues and supported them in taking actions to achieve change.

Highlights

Swedish public health, measured by means such as obesity or premature death, is generally good [1], but health inequalities remain
We introduced the participants to the Group Level Assessment (GLA) steps and our role as facilitators of discussions and actions but gave no training in research methods
Reflections about the situation and desired changes Three overarching themes were identified by Gårdsten residents: 1) pride in Gårdsten yet need for improvement; 2) adolescent and parent needs for support; and 3) the importance of communication and meeting places

Summary

Introduction

Swedish public health, measured by means such as obesity or premature death, is generally good [1], but health inequalities remain. The. Worse health is more common in underserved areas characterized by marginalization and discrimination. Worse health is more common in underserved areas characterized by marginalization and discrimination Such neighbourhoods are, with the words of Loic Wacquant, being territorially stigmatized: “A blemish of place is super-imposed on the already existing stigma traditionally associated with poverty and ethnic origin or postcolonial immigrant status” (p 67) [5]. Analysis by Scarpa indicate that the residential segregation and the Magnusson et al BMC Public Health (2022) 22:155 general widening of the gap in living conditions in Sweden to a large extent is driven by increase in income inequality [7]. The purpose of this study was to collaborate with residents living in a Swedish underserved area to generate health and wellness priorities and actions

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion