Applications of the Participatory Learning Process in Health Promotion / 農村醫學 地域保健

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to develop a participatory learning process and apply it to community empowerment for health promotion. METHODS: The participatory learning sessions were composed of three stages according to the modified Freirean model of empowerment education. Stage 1 of generating themes (listening stage) was replaced with a community health forum. Stage 2 of problem-posing was executed via a two-session small group brainstorming discussion for selecting priority community health problems and strategies to solve them. Stage 3 of act-reflect-act, the implementation of the chosen strategies, is ongoing. We tested the feasibility of the participatory learning processes in the pilot programs for health education. Then, 14 Myeon (or Dong) Health Committee members used them in Health Plus Happiness Plus projects for community empowerment to achieve health equity in Gyeongsangnam-Do, Korea. RESULTS: In the pilot program for feasibility, more than 80% of the 95 participants gave positive responses to evaluation questionnaires after three or four participatory learning sessions. Health Committee members successfully selected various strategies relevant to their communities with facilitation, but without any teaching from outside professionals. CONCLUSIONS: We successfully applied the participatory learning process to health promotion. However, more studies are warranted to evaluate its long-term applicability.