Implementing Two Randomized Pragmatic Trials of HPV Self-sampling among Underserved Women: Challenges and Lessons Learned.

BACKGROUND: Haitian and Hispanic immigrant women experience substantial disparities in cervical cancer screening. Recently, our team completed two randomized trials of human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling as a cervical cancer screening strategy among Haitian and Hispanic women, using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach. OBJECTIVE: To reflect on lessons learned in the process of completing two large randomized cancer screening trials within underserved communities. METHODS: Haitian and Hispanic women were randomized to HPV self-sampling versus navigation to Pap smear versus standard cervical cancer screening education in the first trial, and HPV self-sampling delivered in-person versus via mail in the second trial. LESSONS LEARNED: During the two trials, our team encountered several challenges. The lessons learned from these challenges allowed for the strengthening of our community partnerships, study procedures, and our ability to conduct CBPR within an academic setting. CONCLUSIONS: Lessons learned from our trials may be useful to other researchers engaging in CBPR within underserved communities.

Sustainable, healthy cities: protocol of a mixed methods evaluation of a cluster randomized controlled trial for Aedes control in Brazil using a community mobilization approach.

BACKGROUND: Dengue is increasing in its global presence with an estimated 4 billion people at-risk of infection in at least 128 countries. Despite the promising results of EcoHealth and community mobilization approaches to Aedes reduction, more evidence of their efficacy on reducing dengue risk is needed. The principal research question is to determine if interventions based upon community mobilization reduce the risk of dengue virus infection among children 3 to 9 years old compared to usual dengue control practice in Fortaleza, Brazil. METHODS: The present study will follow a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial (cRCT) design with randomization at the census tract level with equal allocation to the two arms. In each arm, there will be 34 clusters of 86 children between 3 to 9 years old for an expected total of 5848 children enrolled in the study, assuming a risk reduction of 29.5% based upon findings from a previous multi-site cRCT. The primary outcomes are rates of anti-dengue Immunoglobulin G (IgG) seroconversion and adult female Aedes density. The intervention is based upon a participatory health research approach, Socializing Evidence for Participatory Action (SEPA), where the research evidence is used to foster community engagement and ownership of the health issue and solution. Following allocation, intervention communities will develop and implement their own solutions that will likely include a wide variety of collective events and media approaches. Data collection activities over a period of 3 years include household visits for blood collection, household surveys, and entomological surveys; and qualitative activities including focus groups, in-depth interviews, and document analysis to evaluate the process, acceptability, fidelity, and sustainability of the intervention. Study participants will be aware of their assignment and all research staff will be blinded although the intervention assignment will likely be revealed to field staff through interaction with participants. DISCUSSION: The results of our study will provide evidence on community mobilization as an intervention for dengue control. We anticipate that if community mobilization is effective in Fortaleza, the results of this study will help develop evidence-based vector control programs in Brazil, and also in other countries struggling with Aedes-transmitted diseases. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN66131315, registration date: 1 October 2018.

Developing a Binational Community-Based Participatory Research Partnership to Address Reproductive Health on the U.S.-Mexico Border.

BACKGROUND: U.S.-Mexico border communities bear a disproportionate burden of adolescent pregnancy. Binational community-based participatory research (CBPR) partnerships can help to remediate identified health disparities. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this article is to share the experiences and lessons learned from the development of a binational CBPR partnership. METHODS: Mexican and U.S. academics, community members, and promotoras used the Community Community-Campus Partnerships for Health (CCPH) Guiding Principles of Partnership to form a binational CBPR partnership to remediate adolescent pregnancy on the U.S.-Mexico border. LESSONS LEARNED: We learned how to use existing networks to form the partnership and leverage resources to address an existing health disparity. We learned the importance of engaging in effective communication with partners and the necessity of flexibility when working within a different governmental culture. We learned how to leverage critical partnerships to bridge national, cultural, and linguistic differences to conduct binational partnership research, and to be responsive to unforeseen situations when working in low-resource communities.

New Methodologies for Global Health Research: Improving the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Survey Model Through Participatory Research in Haiti.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) survey models are a common tool used by researchers and global health practitioners to reveal insights necessary for health program design and implementation. We explore how an interdisciplinary team of medical practitioners, researchers, designers, and community members improved the KAP survey tool in Haiti by drawing on participatory research methods. The overall objective of the project was to build a new approach to investigating and meeting community health needs and specifically the challenges faced by women with breast and cervical cancer in Haiti. The research findings were used to design an education tool kit for health care providers as well as create a community-based engagement strategy to better connect people to cancer screening and treatment facilities. By infusing the KAP survey model with participatory approaches to knowledge production, the advisory board designed a survey tool that generated more relevant and in-depth knowledge with the community while maintaining the study's simplicity and complying with a time-limited budget.

Young people's power of action in a peripheral community: confrontations and challenges. / Potência de ação da juventude em uma comunidade periférica: enfrentamentos e desafios.

This article, based on doctoral research, aims to understand and draw attention to forms of social participation by young people living in a peripheral community on the coast of São Paulo State. It also examines the manners of health production encountered by the subjects themselves, to reveal how young people have approached this in a context of marked inequality. The young study participants were involved in the activities of an NGO and a hip hop group, where the researcher was placed. The results were constructed on the basis of observations recorded in field diaries and semi-structured interviews, and analysed using the Depth Hermeneutics methodology. They indicate that building community ties expresses the participation of young people and contributes to tackling inequalities and social exclusion. Participation in groups has proven potent and able to shape processes of autonomy, self-care and care for others. However, they appear as isolated initiatives by other institutions. It is also challenging to think of ways of understanding young people's participation, participating together with them in their lives in their contexts, making for horizontal relationships and surmounting the ideas of homogenisation, control and tutelage of this population.

O artigo baseia-se em uma pesquisa de doutoramento e tem como objetivo compreender e dar visibilidade a formas de participação social de jovens moradores de uma comunidade periférica localizada no litoral de São Paulo. Intenta também pensar a produção de saúde, encontrada pelos próprios sujeitos, buscando revelar como os jovens em contexto marcado pela desigualdade têm a enfrentado. Os participantes do estudo estavam envolvidos nas atividades de uma ONG e de um grupo de hip hop, onde se deu a inserção do pesquisador. Os resultados foram construídos, com base nas observações registradas em diários de campo e entrevistas semiestruturadas, e analisados segundo a metodologia da Hermenêutica de Profundidade. Apontam que a construção de vínculos comunitários expressa a participação dos jovens e contribuem no enfrentamento das desigualdades e exclusão. A participação nos grupos tem se mostrado potente e capaz de configurar processos de autonomia, cuidado de si e do outro. Entretanto, mostram-se como iniciativas isoladas de outras instituições. Consiste ainda um desafio pensarmos em formas de compreender a participação dos jovens, participando junto com ele de suas vidas em seus contextos, tornando horizontais as relações e superando a ideia de homogeneização, controle e tutela dessa população.

Potência de ação da juventude em uma comunidade periférica: enfrentamentos e desafios / Young people's power of action in a peripheral community: confrontations and challenges

Resumo O artigo baseia-se em uma pesquisa de doutoramento e tem como objetivo compreender e dar visibilidade a formas de participação social de jovens moradores de uma comunidade periférica localizada no litoral de São Paulo. Intenta também pensar a produção de saúde, encontrada pelos próprios sujeitos, buscando revelar como os jovens em contexto marcado pela desigualdade têm a enfrentado. Os participantes do estudo estavam envolvidos nas atividades de uma ONG e de um grupo de hip hop, onde se deu a inserção do pesquisador. Os resultados foram construídos, com base nas observações registradas em diários de campo e entrevistas semiestruturadas, e analisados segundo a metodologia da Hermenêutica de Profundidade. Apontam que a construção de vínculos comunitários expressa a participação dos jovens e contribuem no enfrentamento das desigualdades e exclusão. A participação nos grupos tem se mostrado potente e capaz de configurar processos de autonomia, cuidado de si e do outro. Entretanto, mostram-se como iniciativas isoladas de outras instituições. Consiste ainda um desafio pensarmos em formas de compreender a participação dos jovens, participando junto com ele de suas vidas em seus contextos, tornando horizontais as relações e superando a ideia de homogeneização, controle e tutela dessa população.

Abstract This article, based on doctoral research, aims to understand and draw attention to forms of social participation by young people living in a peripheral community on the coast of São Paulo State. It also examines the manners of health production encountered by the subjects themselves, to reveal how young people have approached this in a context of marked inequality. The young study participants were involved in the activities of an NGO and a hip hop group, where the researcher was placed. The results were constructed on the basis of observations recorded in field diaries and semi-structured interviews, and analysed using the Depth Hermeneutics methodology. They indicate that building community ties expresses the participation of young people and contributes to tackling inequalities and social exclusion. Participation in groups has proven potent and able to shape processes of autonomy, self-care and care for others. However, they appear as isolated initiatives by other institutions. It is also challenging to think of ways of understanding young people's participation, participating together with them in their lives in their contexts, making for horizontal relationships and surmounting the ideas of homogenisation, control and tutelage of this population.

Community-Engaged Research as an Approach to Expedite Advances in HIV Prevention, Care, and Treatment: A Call to Action.

Throughout the world, we continue to face profound challenges to reducing the impact of the HIV epidemic. Community-engaged research has emerged as an approach to increase our understanding of HIV and reduce health disparities, increase health equity, and promote community and population health. Our partnership has conducted more than 25 community-engaged research studies in the U.S. and Guatemala, and members have identified nine themes to facilitate community-engaged research and expedite advances in HIV prevention, care, and treatment. These themes include the inclusion of multisectoral partners, trust building and maintenance, the alignment of partner priorities, a can-do attitude, capacity and desire to move beyond service and conduct research, flexibility, power sharing, empowerment, an assets orientation, the shared and timely use of findings, and a stepwise approach. To reduce HIV disparities, community-engaged research is as critical now as ever, and we desperately need to reinvigorate our commitment to and support of it.

A Community-Based Approach to HIV Prevention in Rural Guatemala.

BACKGROUND: HIV is one of the primary causes of death in Guatemala, and during the period 2005 to 2013, Guatemala exhibited a 95% increase in such deaths. HIV transmission rates are nearly 3 times higher among the indigenous Mayan population than nonindigenous Guatemalans. Guided by the community-based participatory research approach, this article demonstrates the iterative formative research process necessary to develop a deeper and more informed understanding of HIV prevention attitudes and behaviors in the priority population. This project extends preliminary formative research that demonstrated the applicability of the health belief model (HBM) in examining risk, stigma, and barriers and facilitators to condom use and HIV testing. METHOD: Using an integrated mixed-method design, data were collected from heterosexual adults 18- to 25 years old ( N = 250), including 50 in-depth interviews and 200 rapid assessment surveys. RESULTS: HBM concepts of risk and stigma were confirmed. Data also revealed low rates of condom negotiation and high embarrassment in purchasing and discussing condom use. Furthermore, data yielded very low uptake rates and reduced levels of comfort with getting tested. CONCLUSION: This research informs refinement of a culture-specific intervention prioritizing indigenous Mayans. We highlight how community-based research and engagement enhance community health promotion.

Is Participatory Action Research an innovative pedagogical alternative for training teachers as researchers? The training plan and evaluation for normal schools.

Normal schools in Mexico train teachers for basic level education. Classified as Higher Education Institutions, part of their mandate is to conduct scientific research to improve educational quality. Currently, normal school students can meet graduation requirements by either writing a thesis or reporting on professional practice using Participatory Action Research (PAR). Teachers at normal schools have only limited experience in conducting and supervising PAR projects. With the aim of analyzing the situation and addressing this paradox, we used PAR to develop a plan to train normal school teachers in application of PAR methodology. We present the training proposal and evaluate its results in a pilot phase. These suggest that PAR represents an innovative option for training teachers to conduct research and therefore fulfill part of their responsibilities at normal schools in Mexico. Changes in institutional culture and structure would be required for successful implementation of PAR in this context.

A Community-Based Approach to Cervical Cancer Prevention: Lessons Learned in Rural Guatemala.

BACKGROUND: One international and three local organizations developed the Santa Ana Women's Health Partnership (SAWHP) to address cervical cancer in Santa Ana Huista, Huehuetenango, Guatemala. This paper describes the structure, outcomes, and lessons learned from our community partnership and program. METHODS: The community partnership developed a singlevisit approach (SVA) program that guided medically underserved women through screening and treatment of cervical cancer. LESSONS LEARNED: The program promoted acceptability of SVA among rural women by engaging local female leaders and improving access to screening services. The program's approach focused on maximizing access and generated interest beyond the coverage area. Distrust among the community partners and weak financial management contributed to the program's cessation after 4 years. CONCLUSIONS: The SAWHP design may guide future implementation of cervical cancer screening programs to reach medically underserved women. Open, ongoing dialogue among leaders in each partner institution is paramount to success.

Using Community-Driven, Participatory Qualitative Inquiry to Discern Nuanced Community Health Needs and Assets of Chicago's La Villita, a Mexican Immigrant Neighborhood.

In predominately immigrant neighborhoods, the nuances of immigrant life in the ethnic enclave have important, yet underappreciated impact on community health. The complexities of immigrant experiences are essential to unpacking and addressing the impact of acculturative processes on observed racial, ethnic, and class-based health disparities in the United States. These insights because they are largely unexplored are best captured qualitatively through academic-community research partnership. We established the participatory mixed method Little Village participatory community health assessment (CHA) to explore community health in an ethnic enclave. In this paper, we share findings from our qualitative component exploring: how do Residents in a Predominately Immigrant Neighborhood Perceive Community Health Needs and Assets in Little Village. Three major themes emerged: rich, health promoting community assets inherent in the ethnic enclave; cumulative chronic stress impacting the mental health of families and intra-familial strain; and, work and occupation as important but underappreciated community health determinants in an immigrant neighborhood. These nuanced findings enhanced our community health assessment and contributed to the development of two additional tailored CHA methods, a community member-administered Community Health Survey, and an oral history component that provided deeper insight on the community's health needs and assets, and a focus for action on work as a social determinant of health at the community level. Conducting trusted community-driven health assessments that are adaptive and flexible to capture authentic needs and assets are critical, given health consequences of the new anti-immigrant rhetoric and growing socio-political tensions and fear in immigrant neighborhoods in the United States.

Fostering Community Engagement and Acquiring Understanding of Health Needs through a Participatory Rural Appraisal in Haiti.

BACKGROUND: Haiti has a population of 10 million people, and is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Individuals living in rural and geographically isolated areas of Haiti are particularly vulnerable to chronic illness secondary to unmet health needs. Participatory Rural Appraisals (PRA) can be conducted to rapidly gain knowledge while empowering locals to participate in the identification and prioritization of their health needs. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this report was to gain a more thorough understanding of the comprehensive health needs of the rural village of Beloc, Haiti, and to engage and empower the community to be effective agents of change. Results of this appraisal will be used to develop a sustainable community-based health intervention. METHODS: PRA methodology was conducted in one geographically isolated village in Haiti. The research team trained local participants to implement PRA tools to collect data from their community. United States and Haitian participants collaboratively conducted the PRA activities, analyzed results, and shared findings within the community. RESULTS: Key findings from this research include validation of the use of the PRA method to gain a deeper understanding of the needs of a community before developing a community-based health intervention. Needs were identified, prioritized, and used as the framework for a collaborative action plan. CONCLUSIONS: The PRA process was an effective strategy to engage and empower the community leaders to identify, define, and prioritize their resources, goals, and areas for growth. This article discusses the process, advantages, challenges, and implications of a participatory health assessment.

Involving the public in health research in Latin America: making the case for mental health / Participación del público en las investigaciones de salud en América Latina: su importancia en el ámbito de la salud mental / Envolvimento do público em pesquisa em saúde na América Latina: um argumento a favor da saúde mental

SUMMARY Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) has been increasingly encouraged in health services and research over the last two decades. Particularly strong evidence has been presented with regard to the impact that PPIE has in certain research areas, such as mental health. Involving the public in mental health research has the potential to improve the quality of research and reduce the power imbalance between researchers and participants. However, limitations can be frequent and include tokenistic involvement and lack of infrastructure and support. Nevertheless, PPIE has the potential to impact mental health research in the Latin American context, where existing policies already support public involvement in health research and where the burden of mental disorders is significant. There are many lessons to learn from the evidence of PPIE in other regions. Latin America now has the opportunity to tackle one of today's most important issues: effective health care service delivery for all, based on evidence from comprehensive health research.

RESUMEN En los últimos 20 años, se ha fomentado cada vez más la participación y el compromiso de los pacientes y el público en los servicios de salud y las investigaciones en el campo de la salud. Se ha presentado evidencia parti­cularmente contundente con respecto a la repercusión de esta participación y compromiso en ciertas áreas de investigación, como la salud mental. Incluir al público en las investigaciones sobre salud mental tiene el potencial de mejorar la calidad de las investigaciones y reducir el desequilibrio de poder entre los investigadores y los participantes. Sin embargo, con frecuencia hay limitaciones, entre las cuales se encuentran la participación simbólica y la falta de infraestructura y apoyo. No obstante, la participa­ción y el compromiso de los pacientes y el público pueden tener una repercusión importante en las investigaciones sobre salud mental en América Latina, donde las políticas vigentes ya apoyan la participación del público en las investigaciones de salud y la carga de los trastornos mentales es significativa. Se puede aprender mucho de la evidencia acerca de este tipo de participación y compromiso en otras regiones. Actualmente América Latina tiene la oportunidad de abordar uno de los problemas más importantes de hoy: cómo prestar servicios eficaces de atención de salud que estén al alcance de todos y se basen en la evidencia derivada de investigaciones en el ámbito de la salud.

RESUMO O envolvimento e a participação dos pacientes e do público (EPPP) vêm sendo incentivados cada vez mais nos serviços de saúde e em pesquisas nas duas últimas décadas. Existem evidências sólidas que demonstram a repercussão do EPPP em certas áreas de pesquisa como saúde mental. Envolver o público em pesquisa de saúde mental tem o potencial de melhorar a qua­lidade das pesquisas e reduzir o desequilíbrio de poder entre ­pesquisadores e participantes. Porém, frequentemente são observadas limitações como o envolvimento simbólico e a falta de infraestrutura e de apoio. Contudo, o EPPP podem ter impacto na pesquisa em saúde mental no contexto latino-americano, onde existem políticas que apoiam o envolvimento do público em pesquisa em saúde e onde o ônus dos transtornos mentais é considerável. Muitos ensinamentos podem ser tirados das evidências obtidas com o EPPP em outras regiões. A América Latina tem agora a oportunidade de lidar com uma das questões atuais mais importantes: a prestação eficiente de serviços de saúde para todos, com base em evidências obtidas de pesquisas abrangentes de saúde.

Participatory diagnosis to identify health problems in a socially vulnerable community. / Diagnóstico participativo para identificação de problemas de saúde em comunidade em situação de vulnerabilidade social.

The Health Promotion paradigm led to the acknowledgment of health due to factors linked to the social, political and economic contexts. In Brazil, health inequities are one of the most striking features of the health situation, challenging the effectiveness of intersectoral policies. This study aimed to understand the perception of socially vulnerable community dwellers of the problems that interfere with the health conditions and the coping strategies used. The methodology consisted of a participatory research based on the participatory diagnosis conducted with 31 key informants from the community studied in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. As a result, participants evidenced that the community has health issues due to weak intersectoral actions (infrastructure, public safety, basic sanitation, garbage collection, among others) and that they seek to address them through social mobilization actions and institutional support. Thus, Participatory Diagnosis is thought to increase social involvement with health promotion and problem solving and contributes to ensuring the right to the city to all its residents.

O paradigma da Promoção da Saúde inaugurou o reconhecimento da saúde como resultante de fatores interligados ao contexto social, político e econômico. No Brasil, as iniquidades são consideradas uns dos traços mais marcantes da situação de saúde, desafiando a efetividade de políticas intersetoriais. O presente estudo objetivou conhecer a percepção dos moradores de uma comunidade em situação de vulnerabilidade social sobre os problemas que interferem nas condições de saúde e as estratégias de enfrentamento utilizadas. Foi utilizada como metodologia a pesquisa participante, guiada pelo Diagnóstico Participativo, contando com 31 informantes-chave da comunidade em estudo localizada em Fortaleza, Ceará. Como resultado, os participantes evidenciaram que a comunidade apresenta problemas no campo da saúde decorrentes da fragilidade de ações intersetoriais (infraestrutura, segurança pública, saneamento básico, recolhimento de lixo e outros) e que buscam enfrentamentos a partir de ações de mobilização social e apoio de instituições. Diante do exposto, verifica-se que o Diagnóstico Participativo pode vir a ampliar o envolvimento social com a promoção da saúde e o enfrentamento de problemas, além de contribuir para a garantia do direito à cidade a todos os seus moradores.

Diagnóstico participativo para identificação de problemas de saúde em comunidade em situação de vulnerabilidade social / Participatory diagnosis to identify health problems in a socially vulnerable community

Resumo O paradigma da Promoção da Saúde inaugurou o reconhecimento da saúde como resultante de fatores interligados ao contexto social, político e econômico. No Brasil, as iniquidades são consideradas uns dos traços mais marcantes da situação de saúde, desafiando a efetividade de políticas intersetoriais. O presente estudo objetivou conhecer a percepção dos moradores de uma comunidade em situação de vulnerabilidade social sobre os problemas que interferem nas condições de saúde e as estratégias de enfrentamento utilizadas. Foi utilizada como metodologia a pesquisa participante, guiada pelo Diagnóstico Participativo, contando com 31 informantes-chave da comunidade em estudo localizada em Fortaleza, Ceará. Como resultado, os participantes evidenciaram que a comunidade apresenta problemas no campo da saúde decorrentes da fragilidade de ações intersetoriais (infraestrutura, segurança pública, saneamento básico, recolhimento de lixo e outros) e que buscam enfrentamentos a partir de ações de mobilização social e apoio de instituições. Diante do exposto, verifica-se que o Diagnóstico Participativo pode vir a ampliar o envolvimento social com a promoção da saúde e o enfrentamento de problemas, além de contribuir para a garantia do direito à cidade a todos os seus moradores.

Abstract The Health Promotion paradigm led to the acknowledgment of health due to factors linked to the social, political and economic contexts. In Brazil, health inequities are one of the most striking features of the health situation, challenging the effectiveness of intersectoral policies. This study aimed to understand the perception of socially vulnerable community dwellers of the problems that interfere with the health conditions and the coping strategies used. The methodology consisted of a participatory research based on the participatory diagnosis conducted with 31 key informants from the community studied in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. As a result, participants evidenced that the community has health issues due to weak intersectoral actions (infrastructure, public safety, basic sanitation, garbage collection, among others) and that they seek to address them through social mobilization actions and institutional support. Thus, Participatory Diagnosis is thought to increase social involvement with health promotion and problem solving and contributes to ensuring the right to the city to all its residents.

Meta-evaluation of a participatory process in the strengthening of municipal management.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, with a focus on participation, an evaluation process developed by municipal managers and administrators of a health region in the state of São Paulo, considering the need for theoretical reflection on participatory health practices in the Brazilian context. METHODS: Qualitative research that used the framework developed by Daigneault and Jacob (2009) to analyze the empirical material, encompassing three dimensions of participation: control of the evaluation process, diversity of participants, and extent of their involvement. We highlighted decisions or contextual aspects that deepened or limited the participatory option in the process under study. RESULTS: We identified the presence and important performance of stakeholders who are "not specialists in evaluation", through participation both in the direction of the evaluation process and in its distinct stages. The formed group started from their own annoyances added to the need for information and reflection to define the subject and scope of the evaluation; the use of the process planned by them guided the definition of the data to be collected and the format of result dissemination; the empirical material analysis was undertaken jointly by the participants. Regarding the third dimension, a limitation was identified regarding the diversity of actors involved due to the prioritization of the possibility of in-depth work with a fixed group of managers. CONCLUSIONS: It is stated that there is no "ideal participation model" for evaluations. In certain contexts and structures, real opportunities for participation - even if they seem fragile at first sight - should be leveraged, and that requires flexibility and critical reflection on the part of those responsible for the evaluation processes to undertake the necessary adjustments.

An educational strategy that promotes healthy habits in elderly people with hypertension in a municipality of Colombia: a participatory action research study. / Estrategia educativa que promueve los hábitos saludables en adultos mayores con hipertensión arterial en un municipio de Colombia: estudio de investigación-acción participativa.

OBJECTIVE: To identify resources of the municipality of Sopó-Cundinamarca, Colombia, that are also opportunities to strengthen the development of an educational strategy that promotes healthy habits (healthy diet and exercise) as part of the comprehensive management of hypertension in the elderly. METHODS: A qualitative study of a participatory-action research initiative in the Community Day Center of Sopó in the second semester of 2015. It was developed in three stages: first, a community diagnosis showed the need to integrate the culture, traditions and resources of the municipality as inputs that allow the adherence of healthy styles by the elderly for the control of hypertension; in the second stage, a work plan was established based on actions provided by the community; and in the third stage, we reflected on the results. RESULTS: An effective and sustainable intervention for the elderly can be achieved through the following activities: appropriation of the agricultural resources, the strengthening of dance as a form of exercise, use of motivational strategies, support of institutions that work with the welfare of the elderly, and the empowerment of facilitators. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions aimed at supporting the adherence of healthy lifestyles to the elderly should include and preserve the context of the community of which they are part, where community resources are the inputs that allow health promotion.

OBJETIVO: Identificar los recursos del municipio de Sopó-Cundinamarca, Colombia, como oportunidades de fortalecimiento para el desarrollo de una estrategia educativa que promueva los hábitos saludables (alimentación y actividad física) como parte del manejo integral de la hipertensión arterial en el adulto mayor. MÉTODOS: Estudio cualitativo, tipo investigación-acción participativa en la comunidad del centro día de Sopó en el segundo semestre de 2015. Se desarrolló en tres etapas. En la primera, a partir del contacto con la comunidad, se obtuvo un diagnóstico comunitario. Este fue la necesidad de integrar la cultura, las tradiciones y los recursos del municipio como insumos que permitan la adherencia de estilos de vida saludables por parte del adulto mayor para el control de la hipertensión arterial. En la segunda se estableció el plan de trabajo por medio de acciones proporcionadas por la comunidad; y en la tercera etapa se dio la reflexión de los resultados obtenidos. RESULTADOS: A partir de la apropiación de los recursos agrícolas, el fortalecimiento del baile como actividad física, la incorporación de estrategias motivacionales, el soporte de instituciones que le apuestan al bienestar del adulto mayor y el empoderamiento de los facilitadores; se logra una intervención eficaz y sostenible para el cuidado de la salud del adulto mayor. CONCLUSIONES: Las intervenciones encaminadas a promover la adherencia de estilos de vida saludables en los adultos mayores, deben incluir y preservar el contexto de la comunidad de la cual ellos son parte, donde los recursos de la misma sean los insumos que permitan la promoción de la salud.

Formative Research: Using a Community-Based Participatory Research Approach to Develop an Oral Health Intervention for Migrant Mexican Families.

Oral health is a leading unmet health need among migrant families. This article describes the 1-year, community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach employed to plan and develop a Líder Communitario (lay community health worker)-led educational intervention for Mexican migrant adult caregivers and their families in three underserved, remote communities in North San Diego County, California. Four partner organizations collaborated, reviewed existing oral health curricula, and sought extensive input on educational topics and research design from key informants, migrant caregivers, and Líderes Communitarios. Based on community stakeholder input, partners developed a logic model and drafted educational intervention materials. Key informants ( n = 28), including several members from two community advisory boards, ranked program priorities and intervention subgroup population via online survey. Three focus groups were conducted with Líderes Communitarios ( n = 22) and three with migrant families ( n = 30) regarding the oral health program's design and content. Twelve Líderes Communitarios reviewed draft intervention materials during two focus groups to finalize the curriculum, and their recommended changes were incorporated. Formative research results indicated that community stakeholders preferred to focus on adult caregivers and their families. A 5-week educational intervention with hands on demonstrations and colorful visuals was developed, covering the following topics: bacteria and tooth decay, oral hygiene, nutrition, gum disease, and dental services. The CBPR process engaged multiple community stakeholders in all aspects of planning and developing the educational intervention.

Meta-evaluation of a participatory process in the strengthening of municipal management / Meta-avaliação de um processo participativo no fortalecimento da gestão municipal

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To evaluate, with a focus on participation, an evaluation process developed by municipal managers and administrators of a health region in the state of São Paulo, considering the need for theoretical reflection on participatory health practices in the Brazilian context. METHODS Qualitative research that used the framework developed by Daigneault and Jacob (2009) to analyze the empirical material, encompassing three dimensions of participation: control of the evaluation process, diversity of participants, and extent of their involvement. We highlighted decisions or contextual aspects that deepened or limited the participatory option in the process under study. RESULTS We identified the presence and important performance of stakeholders who are "not specialists in evaluation", through participation both in the direction of the evaluation process and in its distinct stages. The formed group started from their own annoyances added to the need for information and reflection to define the subject and scope of the evaluation; the use of the process planned by them guided the definition of the data to be collected and the format of result dissemination; the empirical material analysis was undertaken jointly by the participants. Regarding the third dimension, a limitation was identified regarding the diversity of actors involved due to the prioritization of the possibility of in-depth work with a fixed group of managers. CONCLUSIONS It is stated that there is no "ideal participation model" for evaluations. In certain contexts and structures, real opportunities for participation - even if they seem fragile at first sight - should be leveraged, and that requires flexibility and critical reflection on the part of those responsible for the evaluation processes to undertake the necessary adjustments.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Meta-avaliar, com foco na participação, um processo avaliativo desenvolvido por secretários e assessores municipais de uma região de saúde do estado de São Paulo, tendo em vista a necessidade de reflexão teórica sobre práticas de avaliação participativa na área da Saúde no contexto brasileiro. MÉTODOS Pesquisa qualitativa que utilizou, para análise do material empírico, o referencial desenvolvido por Daigneault e Jacob (2009), englobando três dimensões da participação: direção do processo avaliativo, diversidade dos participantes e extensão do envolvimento dos mesmos. Foram destacadas decisões ou aspectos contextuais que fizeram com que a opção participativa fosse aprofundada ou limitada no processo em foco. RESULTADOS Identificou-se a presença e importante atuação de atores interessados "não especialistas em avaliação", por meio da participação tanto na direção do processo avaliativo como em suas diferentes etapas. O grupo formado partiu de seus próprios incômodos somados à necessidade de informação e reflexão para a definição do tema e escopo da avaliação; a utilização do processo por eles planejada guiou a definição dos dados a serem coletados e o formato da disseminação dos resultados; a análise do material empírico foi empreendida de forma conjunta pelos participantes. No tocante à terceira dimensão, foi identificada uma limitação quanto à diversidade de atores envolvidos em função da priorização da possibilidade de trabalho aprofundado com um grupo fixo de gestores. CONCLUSÕES Afirma-se que não existe um "modelo ideal de participação" para avaliações. Em determinados contextos e estruturas, oportunidades reais de participação - mesmo que pareçam frágeis à primeira vista - devem ser aproveitadas, exigindo, para tanto, flexibilidade e reflexão crítica por parte dos responsáveis pelos processos avaliativos, visando a empreender as adequações que se fizerem necessárias.