3091.0 - Evaluating the fidelity of community engaged mental health research in Ghana to community based participatory research (CBPR) principles.

Session: Phehp Student Awards Poster Session

Program: Public Health Education and Health Promotion

Time: 10:30 - 11:30 AM

Presenter:

Elijah Paintsil, MD, FAAP

Abstract

Background: Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) is an approach where academic and non-academic groups engage equally to conduct research. CBPR may be beneficial in research where the researcher does not share identity or experiences with participants. Prior work identified eight principles underlying CBPR. Our objective was to assess how these principles were incorporated in CBPR mental health studies in Ghana.

Methods: Using PubMed, we identified 329 CBPR papers; five focused on mental health. Reviewers documented the usage of the principles using Indicators. For example, principle #8 says, “disseminate findings and knowledge gained to all partners”. Indicators; co-authorship of community partners, and documented dissemination of knowledge to community partners using understandable language.

Findings: All five papers identified communities as the unit of research, and strengthened existing community resources (principle #1,2). Three papers considered equitable involvement, promoted co-learning, and addressed health from positive and ecological perspectives(principles #3,5,7 respectively). Two papers integrated knowledge/action for the mutual benefit of all partners(principle #4), and continual community involvement (principle #6) was seen in one paper. Community dissemination (principle #8) plans were absent in all but 1 paper, and 1 paper included nonacademic partners as co-authors.

Conclusion: Plans for knowledge dissemination of CBPR studies on mental health in Ghana are rarely documented. This could limit integration of knowledge and action for mutual benefit of partners (principle #4), limit opportunity for continual community involvement(principle #6), and limit ability to improve on what was done. Future CBPR studies on mental health should expand consideration for principles 4,6 and 8.