Effective Community Engagement Research Articles

Challenges and solutions: surveying researchers on what type of community engagement and involvement activities are feasible in low and middle income countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

ObjectivesMeasures to limit the spread of infection during the COVID-19 global pandemic have made engaging and involving members of the community in global health research more challenging. This research aimed...

Honeybee Cognition as a Tool for Scientific Engagement.

Simple SummaryGlobal scientific literacy can be improved through widespread and effective community engagement by researchers. We propose honeybees (Apis mellifera) as a public engagement tool due to widespread awareness of colony collapse and the bees’ importance in food production. Moreover, their cognitive abilities make for engaging experiments. Their relative ease of cultivation means that studies can be performed cost-effectively, especially when partnering with local apiarists. Using a proxy for honeybee learning, a group of non-specialist high-school-aged participants obtained data suggesting that caffeine, but not dopamine, improved learning. This hands-on experience facilitated student understanding of the scientific method, factors that shape learning and the importance of learning for colony health.Apis mellifera (honeybees) are a well-established model for the study of learning and cognition. A robust conditioning protocol, the olfactory conditioning of the proboscis extension response (PER), provides a powerful but straightforward method to examine the impact of varying stimuli on learning performance. Herein, we provide a protocol that leverages PER for classroom-based community or student engagement. Specifically, we detail how a class of high school students, as part of the Ryukyu Girls Outreach Program, examined the effects of caffeine and dopamine on learning performance in honeybees. Using a modified version of the PER conditioning protocol, they demonstrated that caffeine, but not dopamine, significantly reduced the number of trials required for a successful conditioning response. In addition to providing an engaging and educational scientific activity, it could be employed, with careful oversight, to garner considerable reliable data examining the effects of varying stimuli on honeybee learning.

Breaking barriers and building bridges: Increasing community engagement in program evaluation

BackgroundBetween September 2015 and 2018, The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) focused its Project PrIDE efforts on increasing PrEP awareness through a media campaign, and community engagement in. Wayne County, MI. A strained relationship between MDHHS and community has created barriers to sustained and effective community engagement. The local evaluation (LE) was developed to determine the barriers and facilitators to engagement in program activities. MethodsTo understand the process and the factors that impacted the project’s goal, a mixed methods participatory evaluation approach was utilized. Data collection included quantitative data from meeting surveys, qualitative data from focus groups, and a photovoice project. Analysis and synthesis included descriptive statistics and deductive thematic coding. ResultsCAB engagement increased collaboration, enhanced feasibility and utility, appropriateness, sustainability of activities, and increased transparency between MDHHS and CAB. Thematic coding identified Barriers and facilitators to engagement with PrEP activites included restrictive funding, comprehensive services delivery and CAB feedback underutilized and resulting in ineffective campaign messages. ConclusionsAlthough a strained relationship was evident in the beginning, encouraging interagency collaboration in the development, implementation, and utilization of program and evaluation activities, resulted in the improvement of relationships between the community and MDHHS.

Development of a culturally and linguistically sensitive virtual reality educational platform to improve vaccine acceptance within a refugee population: the SHIFA community engagement-public health innovation programme

ObjectivesTo combat misinformation, engender trust and increase health literacy, we developed a culturally and linguistically appropriate virtual reality (VR) vaccination education platform using community-engaged approaches within a Somali refugee community.DesignCommunity-based...

COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts: Is Afghanistan Prepared?

ABSTRACT.A country’s preparedness for a prompt and successful implementation of vaccination programs plays a pivotal role in disease control and prevention. As it stands now, Afghanistan seems to be ill-prepared to embrace a successful implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination program because of a spate of challenges. These include, but are not limited to, the insufficient number of vaccinators, a dearth of fully integrated functioning cold chain, challenging geographical barriers, cultural issues, insecurity, and protracted conflict. The COVID-19 infodemic along with vaccine mistrust in the country will lead to a pervasive public vaccine hesitancy in Afghanistan, which will present serious obstacles to the COVID-19 immunization efforts. The politicization of the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and the complaints of embezzlement and misuse of the pandemic aid have already eroded public trust during the pandemic. To ensure a large-scale and equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, the cold chain infrastructure should be strengthened, and the immunization personnel trained. Antivaccination propaganda and misinformation should be tackled with effective communication approaches and effective community engagement, which consider culturally relevant messages appropriate to the culture and people. The allegations of corruption should be addressed to revive public trust in public health interventions, including COVID-19 vaccination.

Evaluating Mine Design Alternatives for Social Risks Using Discrete Choice Analysis

As with other engineering design tasks, mine design involves setting design objectives and constraints (the feasible solution space) and finding the optimal design alternative. Mine engineers often struggle to incorporate the preferences of local community members into their evaluation of mine design alternatives because the mining literature lacks tools to quantify such risks during mine planning. This paper presents an approach to evaluate community acceptance (i.e., community preferences for the alternatives) using discrete choice models and decision-based design during mine planning. Using discrete choice models and a rigorous framework, engineers can estimate the cost of social risks as a function of the probability that individuals in the host community will prefer a particular design alternative. They can then estimate the overall utility of a particular design alternative to the project proponents. This paper illustrates the proposed approach with a strategic mine planning exercise for a gold mine. The framework can be a useful tool for designing mines for sustainability, if combined with effective community engagement and management’s commitment to creating shared value.

Evaluating Community Engagement Strategies to Manage Stigma in Two African Genomics Studies Involving People Living with Schizophrenia or Rheumatic Heart Disease.

In global health research and genomics research specifically, community engagement has gained prominence in enhancing ethical conduct, particularly in managing the risk of stigmatization, but there is minimal scientific evidence on how to do this effectively. This article reports on community engagement evaluation strategies in two African genomics studies: the Stigma in African Genomics Research study and the Genomics of Schizophrenia in South African Xhosa People (SAX) study. Within the Stigma in African Genomics Research study, a self-report rating scale and open-ended questions were used to track participant responses to an experiential theatre workshop. The workshop focused on participant experiences of living with schizophrenia or rheumatic heart disease (RHD). While the schizophrenia group reported more alienation and less stigma resistance than the RHD group, both groups demonstrated increased stigma resistance over time, after participating in the workshops. Hearing from others living with and managing the same illness normalised participants' own experiences and encouraged them. Within the SAX study, a short rating scale and qualitative feedback methods were used to evaluate a Mental Health Literacy Day targeting mental health stigma. Information talks about (i) the symptoms of schizophrenia and treatment options and (ii) the illness experiences of a patient in recovery were rated as the most helpful on the day. Audience members reported that these talks challenged negative perceptions about severe mental illness. Three important learnings emerged from these evaluations: firstly, integration of evaluation strategies at the research study planning phase is likely to promote more effective community engagement. Secondly, a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods that draw on simple descriptive statistics and thematic analysis can provide nuanced perspectives about the value of community engagement. Thirdly, such evidence is necessary in establishing and promoting the science of community engagement in genomics research and health research more broadly.

Leadership and Self‐Help Initiatives: The Case of Water Supply Services in Morogoro, Tanzania

In a bid to improve water supply Tanzania changed its water policy in 2002. It is now almost two decades and water problems have remained a prominent issue. Community leadership is required to ensure increased access to safe water by enhancing effective community engagement in operation and management of water resources. The current study investigated the roles of community leadership in water supply through self‐help initiatives in the Morogoro region. A total of 365 household heads were randomly selected for a survey. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Results show that there is a significant positive relationship (r = 0.562 at p < .001) between community leadership and self‐help initiatives. Good leadership practices promote self‐help actions in water supply services. However, lack of accountability in the management of community water funds as well as leaders’ inability to lead by self‐help actions are examples of leadership ineffectiveness that currently hampers community self‐help initiatives. As such, addressing the current water problems in rural Tanzanian communities in a sustainable manner requires investments in programs that empower community leadership, and in some situations, alongside the development of water infrastructure.

Transnational universities, host communities and local residents: social impacts, university social responsibility and campus sustainability

Purpose This paper aims to discuss how transnational universities create negative and positive social impacts on their host communities and what this means for campus sustainability and the expectation that universities contribute to sustainable development and to their local communities. Design/methodology/approach Using mixed methods, a multiple case study approach and qualitative meta-analysis, this study considers six transnational university campuses in China in terms of their relationship with local communities. Findings Because of the good reputation of universities generally, local residents tended to accord a social licence to operate (i.e. approval) to new university campuses. However, universities generally do not manage their social impacts, as well as many other industries and generally fail to consider the corporate social responsibility issues and the environmental, social and governance aspects of their activities. To improve their social licence to operate and grow and to meet expectations around “university social responsibility”, campus developments should observe key international principles and human rights standards: full disclosure of information; effective community engagement; appropriate resettlement and livelihood restoration; effective harm reduction procedures; provision of local benefits (benefit sharing); monitoring and adaptive management and implement a grievance redress mechanism. Originality/value This paper encourages broader thinking about sustainability in a higher education context and about what university social responsibility entails. Specifically, this study argues that the relationship between universities and their host communities also needs to be considered, especially during campus construction.

Are rhetorical commitments to adolescents reflected in planning documents? An exploratory content analysis of adolescent sexual and reproductive health in Global Financing Facility country plans

BackgroundThe Global Financing Facility (GFF) offers an opportunity to close the financing gap that holds back gains in women, children’s and adolescent health. However, very little work exists examining GFF practice, particularly for adolescent health. As momentum builds for the GFF, we examine initial GFF planning documents to inform future national and multi-lateral efforts to advance adolescent sexual and reproductive health.MethodsWe undertook a content analysis of the first 11 GFF Investment Cases and Project Appraisal Documents available on the GFF website. The countries involved include Bangladesh, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda.ResultsWhile several country documents signal understanding and investment in adolescents as a strategic area, this is not consistent across all countries, nor between Investment Cases and Project Appraisal Documents. In both types of documents commitments weaken as one moves from programming content to indicators to investment. Important contributions include how teenage pregnancy is a universal concern, how adolescent and youth friendly health services and school-based programs are supported in several country documents, how gender is noted as a key social determinant critical for mainstreaming across the health system, alongside the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration, and the acknowledgement of adolescent rights. Weaknesses include the lack of comprehensive analysis of adolescent health needs, inconsistent investments in adolescent friendly health services and school based programs, missed opportunities in not supporting multi-component and multi-level initiatives to change gender norms involving adolescent boys in addition to adolescent girls, and neglect of governance approaches to broker effective multi-sectoral collaboration, community engagement and adolescent involvement.ConclusionThere are important examples of how the GFF supports adolescents and their sexual and reproductive health. However, more can be done. While building on service delivery approaches more consistently, it must also fund initiatives that address the main social and systems drivers of adolescent health. This requires capacity building for the technical aspects of adolescent health, but also engaging politically to ensure that the right actors are convened to prioritize adolescent health in country plans and to ensure accountability in the GFF process itself.

Assessment of preventive behavior and associated factors towards COVID-19 in Qellam Wallaga Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study.

The world is being challenged by the COVID-19 outbreak that resulted in a universal concern and economic hardship. It is a leading public health emergency across the globe in general and developing countries in particular. Strengthening good preventive behavior is the best way to tackle such pandemics. The study assessed preventive behavior and associated factors towards COVID-19 among residents of Qellam Wallaga Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia, 2020. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted with a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected by interview and analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Binomial logistic regression was used to test the association between the variables. An Adjusted Prevalence with 95% CI was used to express the associations and interpret the findings. Among 634 participants, 417(65.8%) were from urban residences, and 347 (54.7%) belongs to a female. Age ranges 18 years through 87 years. Only 68(10.7%) participants showed good preventive behavior for COVID-19. The majority of them (84.7%) perceived that the disease is very dangerous and 450(71.0%) of them believe that they are at high risk. More than 17% of the respondents have sufficient knowledge. Respondents with sufficient knowledge about COVID-19 were about 2 times more likely to exercise good preventive behavior compare to those with insufficient knowledge, [(APR: 2.1; 95% CI: [1.2, 3.9)]. The urban residents was 3.3 more than that of rural residents to practice good preventive behavior, [(APR: 3.3; 95% CI: [1.6, 6.4)]. Respondents who use social media as a source of information were more than 2 times more likely to have good preventive behavior compared to those who did not, [(APR: 2.3; 95% CI: [1.3, 3.4)]. Adoptions of COVID-19 preventive behavior in the study population is very low. Due emphasis should be given to rural residents. Risk communication activities should be strengthened through effective community engagement to slow down and stop the transmssion of the disease in the community.

Effective Community Engagement during the Environmental Assessment of a Mining Project in the Canadian Arctic

The Back River Project is an approved gold mine in Nunavut, Canada owned by Sabina Gold & Silver Corp. Sabina developed a comprehensive community engagement program during the environmental assessment phase of the Project to share information, receive and address local feedback and concerns, and develop productive relationships in support of Project advancement. This paper outlines Sabina’s engagement program, successes and challenges encountered from the perspective of a mineral developer, and insights obtained for effective community engagement in a Canadian Arctic context. The program has been commended by observers and is consistent with best practice models. Sabina’s experiences revealed the importance of engaging early and often using a context-specific approach; comprehensive record-keeping and reporting; the meaningful incorporation of community perspectives and Traditional Knowledge; and focusing on long-term relationships, partnerships, and local benefits. Effective community engagement subsequently played a key role in Sabina securing major licenses and permits for Project advancement.

Effective Community Engagement through Ministry Projects

Effective Community Engagement through Ministry Projects

The COVID-19 vaccines rush: participatory community engagement matters more than ever

The COVID-19 vaccines rush: participatory community engagement matters more than ever

Characterizing the Relationship between Social Determinants of Health and Air Quality

Background: Much of health is determined by peoples’ social determinants of health (SDH) and environments. Understanding them gives a more realistic model for risk stratification and the true complexity of patient populations, which may lead to more effective patient, family, and community engagement. For example, in the current COVID-19 pandemic African Americans are experiencing worse outcomes due to existing medical issues, less access to healthcare, and a higher likelihood to work unstable jobs. At the same time, there is likely an increased severity in COVID-19 cases following long-term exposure to air pollution. The objective of this study was to find relationships between SDH and environmental factors independent of a particular disease.Methods: Using the Factors Affecting Communities and Enabling Targeted Services model, we compiled SDH data for Utah census tracts from the American Community Survey data for the years 2012-2016. We assigned daily air quality measurements (AQ) for each of these census tracts based on the closest Environmental Protection Agency monitoring station. We performed clustering on the cleaned dataset using the Python package scikit-learn and visualized the obtained clusters with Tableau. We used the elbow method to obtain an optimum number of clusters and used the values for each variable in the clusters’ centroid to discover relationships between SDH and environment.Results: We obtained 10 distinct clusters of SDH and AQ. Clusters of census tracts with bad air tended to have higher proportions of individuals who were non-white, non-college educated, lower income, and lacking insurance.Conclusion: This analysis suggests a tangible relationship between poor AQ and SDH. Next steps include using modeled AQ data for finer spatial granularity and expanding timeframe and locations. The relationship between SDH and AQ irrespective of the disease is worth exploring further. The whole is more than the sum of its parts.

Determinants of early initiation of breastfeeding in Ghana: a population-based cross-sectional study using the 2014 Demographic and Health Survey data

BackgroundThe World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that breastfeeding should be initiated within the first hour of delivery followed by exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months. This study examined the determinants of early initiation of breastfeeding in Ghana using data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey.MethodsA sample size of 4219 was used for the study. Descriptive statistics was conducted to ascertain the proportion of children who had early initiation of breastfeeding after which binary logistic regression analysis was carried out. Results were presented using frequencies, percentages, unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios. Statistical significance was pegged at p<0.05.ResultsChildren of first birth order [AOR = 0.71, CI = 0.61–0.84], those who were delivered by non-professionals [AOR = 0.51, CI = 0.30–0.88] and those whose mothers were Traditionalists [AOR = 0.65, CI = 0.46–0.92] and Mole-Dagbanis [AOR = 0.69, CI = 0.54–0.89] were less likely to go through early initiation of breastfeeding compared to those of 2–4 birth order, those who were delivered by health professionals, those whose mothers were Christians and Akan, respectively. Conversely, children born to mothers who read newspaper/magazine at least once a week were more likely to go through early initiation of breastfeeding, compared to those who never read newspaper/magazine [AOR = 1.40, CI = 1.01–1.95]. Children born to mothers who watched television less than once a week were more likely to go through early initiation of breastfeeding compared to those who watched television at least once a week [AOR = 1.40, CI = 1.01–1.95]. Finally, women from the Northern [AOR = 2.40, CI = [1.77–3.26] and Upper East regions [AOR = 2.57, CI = [1.86–3.56] practiced early initiation of breastfeeding compared to those from the Ashanti region.ConclusionsEmpowering healthcare providers to be consistent in early breastfeeding initiation advocacy and effective community engagement on the need to embrace and practice early initiation of breastfeeding can improve the situation.

Community-based health promotion about alcohol and other drugs in a multicultural Australia-what works? A review of evidence.

Refugee and migrant communities from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in Australia experience dependency, stigma, isolation, mental health issues, family issues and other problems associated with alcohol and other drugs. Yet, refugee and migrant communities also face major linguistic, cultural and technological barriers to health promotion about drug-related problems. The aim of this review is to identify effective techniques and approaches for health promotion that reduces the risk of problems with drugs in culturally and linguistically inclusive ways. To identify what is effective, the Medline/PubMed database was systematically searched for health promotion literature published between 2008 and 2018. Grey literature from relevant agencies was also searched. The review considered both quantitative and qualitative outcome measures, and assessed studies using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme quality assessment tool. Three studies met inclusion criteria, with weak evaluations. The studies demonstrated effective community engagement, but do not provide conclusive evidence of what is effective drug-related health promotion. The review's findings point to an important knowledge gap. More rigorous research and evaluation are required to identify effective health promotion for reducing drug-related issues with a larger, more diverse range of refugee and migrant communities.

Understanding social licence to operate for onshore gas development: How the underlying drivers fit together

Abstract Unconventional gas plays a significant role in transitioning to low carbon energy sources; however, its extraction is socially contested, and proponents increasingly face social licence issues. Explaining social acceptance for unconventional gas is complex, with multiple factors at play. This study uses comprehensive statistical modelling to explain social acceptance of a local coal seam gas (CSG) development in its pre-approval phase. Using a representative sample of 400 randomly selected residents in rural Australia, the statistical model explained 83% of variation in acceptance and measured interdependencies between eight factors determining acceptance. These factors were: effects from industry activity (perceived impacts and perceived benefits); distributional fairness (the spread of costs and benefits); the relational aspects between the host community and industry (perceptions of trust in industry, relationship quality and procedural fairness); governance of the industry (informal and formal governance, and trust in governing bodies); and knowledge (of the local CSG industry). Results showed that perceived impacts were the main driver of acceptance, with perceived benefits, distributional fairness, and trust in industry the next most important determinants. Relationship quality and procedural fairness predicted trust. Industry knowledge was only a minor determinant of acceptance. Those ‘rejecting’ CSG development had starkly more negative perceptions of the underlying factors than those ‘supporting’. However, both had higher self-rated knowledge than those who felt ‘lukewarm’ about CSG. This highly predictive statistical model can be used by industry to direct their efforts at the most important drivers of acceptance, such as benefit sharing and addressing concerns about impacts, and for planning their community engagement and communication. Policy makers and regulators can use the model to guide their expectations of industry when assessing projects for approval, including building trust through effective community engagement. Moreover, the research suggests that information is best targeted at residents with ‘lukewarm’ or less established views, and points to the importance of providing them with specific information about important factors underlying social acceptance such as benefit sharing, impact mitigation, procedural fairness, and governance, rather than general industry information. These insights help create the necessary preconditions for establishing a social licence to operate for an onshore gas development.

Can people-centered community-oriented interventions improve skilled birth attendance? Evidence from a quasi-experimental study in rural communities of Cambodia, Kenya, and Zambia

BackgroundSkilled attendance at delivery is a key marker for reducing maternal mortality. Effective community engagement strategies complemented by community health worker (CHW) services can improve access to maternal health services in areas with limited health infrastructure or workforce.MethodsA quasi-experimental study with matched comparison groups was conducted in Cambodia, Kenya and Zambia to determine the effect of integrated community investments on skilled birth attendance (SBA). In each country, communities in two districts/sub-districts received a package of community-oriented interventions comprised of timed CHW household health promotion for maternal, newborn and child health complemented by social accountability mechanisms using community scorecards. Two matched comparison districts/sub-districts received ongoing routine interventions. Data from the final evaluation were examined to determine the effect of timed CHW services and community-oriented interventions on SBA.ResultsOver 80% of the 3037 women in Cambodia, 2805 women in Kenya and 1171 women in Zambia reported SBA. Women in intervention sites who received timely CHW health promotion and social accountability mechanisms in Cambodia showed significantly higher odds of SBA (aOR = 7.48; 95% CI: 3.87, 14.5). The findings also indicated that women over the age of 24 in Cambodia, women with primary or secondary education in Cambodia and secondary education in Kenya, women from higher wealth quintiles in Cambodia, and women with four or more antenatal care (ANC) visits in all countries reported significantly higher odds of SBA. Inclusion of family members in pregnancy-related discussions in Kenya (aOR = 2.12; 95% CI: 1.06, 4.26) and Zambia (aOR = 6.78; 95% CI: 1.15, 13.9) and follow up CHW visits after a referral or health facility visit (aOR = 2.44; 95% CI: 1.30, 4.60 in Cambodia; aOR = 2.17; 95% CI 1.25, 3.75 in Kenya; aOR = 1.89; 95% CI: 1.05, 2.02 in Zambia) also showed significantly greater odds of SBA.ConclusionsEnhancing people-centered care through culturally appropriate community-oriented strategies integrating timely CHW health promotion and social accountability mechanisms shows some evidence for improving SBA during delivery. These strategies can accelerate the achievement of the sustainable development goals for maternal child and newborn health.

Unraveling community engagement in health promotion among vulnerable families: a multiple case study

Abstract Community engagement has since long been promoted among health promotion practitioners, policy-makers and scientists. However, many uncertainties remain when it comes to the workings and effects of community engagement in health promotion. The aim of this study is to provide in-depth insights into the workings and effects of community engagement. In a multiple case study, we investigate three health promotion projects among vulnerable families in The Netherlands. The projects are all funded by the Healthy Futures Nearby Programme. Data was collected by group interviews, telephone interviews and written progress reports. We adopted a realist approach, in which we first identified assumptions about community engagement. We then analysed the qualitative data for context-mechanism-outcome configurations to test and refine this programme theory. Preliminary results show that active engagement can strengthen social networks, empowerment and perceived health among vulnerable families. However, specific contexts, in combination with the project interventions, may or may not trigger positive responses (mechanisms). Vulnerable families may feel they matter when asked to actively contribute in a project, which in turn can enhance their self-confidence. In another context, we found vulnerable families overwhelmed by the responsibilities given to them in the project, leading to feelings of stress and withdrawal from the project. We will present a full list of context-mechanism-outcome configurations that describe possible effects of community engagement of vulnerable families. The two sides of the assumptions project teams hold about effects of community engagement, show that tension exists around actively involve communities in health promotion projects. In-depth insights into the workings and effects of community engagement will provide health promotion scientists and practitioners with knowledge to shape and optimize community engagement in health promotion projects. Key messages The study shows that, in practice, tensions exist between expected effects of community engagement and actual unclarity about what community engagement can do in for vulnerable people. Contexts of health promotion projects, in combination with specific interventions, may or may not trigger positive responses to active involvement among vulnerable families.