Public engagement for the conduct of a controlled human infection study testing vaccines against Necator americanus (hookworm) in areas of active hookworm transmission in Brazil.

Controlled Human Infection Models (CHIS) involve administering human pathogens to healthy participants in controlled medical settings, which can elicit complex bioethical issues. Understanding how the community perceives such studies can significantly increase the participant's sense of cooperation and increases the researcher's and the participant's transparency. The current study describes the development of an educational intervention to achieve these ends as it aims to (1) analyze perceptions of the Controlled Human Infection Studies (CHIS), and (2) evaluate the participants' comprehension of the CHIS. METHODS: This is a qualitative action research that includes the development of an educational intervention with residents of a rural area in Minas Gerais, Brazil, where there is continuous natural transmission of the human pathogen Necator americanus ("hookworm"). In this area, it is intended to carry out a proposed phase 3 vaccine clinical trial in the future to test the efficacy of hookworm vaccines using controlled human infection. Two data collection strategies were used: an educational intervention and a focus group. RESULTS: The participants' perceptions showed distinct perspectives on CHIS. On one side, they recognized that the investigation is essential for the community, but on the other side, they thought that there would be resistance to its conduct by fear of infection. The idea that the study would generate a benefit for the greater good, contributing to the prevention of hookworm infection, was clearly stated. The participants perceived that the study offered concrete risks that could be reduced by constant monitoring by the researchers. They also mentioned the importance of access to information and the positive influence those who express interest in participating in the study can exert in the community. In relation to comprehension the participants memorized the information, mobilized it to explain everyday situations and created strategies to disseminate the study and engage the community in its development. By repeating and making sense of the information, the participant not only assimilates the knowledge transmitted, but also creates new knowledge. CONCLUSION: We concluded that an educational process of discussion and dialogue around participants' perceptions about the CHIS, promotes understanding and allows ways to disseminate information about the research to be collectively created.

Strategies for involving patients and the public in scaling initiatives in health and social services: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Scaling in health and social services (HSS) aims to increase the intended impact of proven effective interventions. Patient and public involvement (PPI) is critical for ensuring that scaling beneficiaries' interests are served. We aimed to identify PPI strategies and their characteristics in the science and practice of scaling in HSS. METHODS: In this scoping review, we included any scaling initiative in HSS that used PPI strategies and reported PPI methods and outcomes. We searched electronic databases (e.g., Medline) from inception to 5 February 2024, and grey literature (e.g., Google). Paired reviewers independently selected and extracted eligible reports. A narrative synthesis was performed and we used the PRISMA for Scoping Reviews and the Guidance for Reporting Involvement of Patients and the Public (GRIPP2). FINDINGS: We included 110 unique reports out of 24,579 records. In the past 5 years, the evidence on PPI in scaling has increased faster than in any previous period. We found 236 mutually nonexclusive PPI strategies among 120 scaling initiatives. Twenty-four initiatives did not target a specific country; but most of those that did so (n = 96) occurred in higher-income countries (n = 51). Community-based primary health care was the most frequent level of care (n = 103). Mostly, patients and the public were involved throughout all scaling phases (n = 46) and throughout the continuum of collaboration (n = 45); the most frequently reported ethical lens regarding the rationale for PPI was consequentialist-utilitarian (n = 96). Few papers reported PPI recruitment processes (n = 31) or incentives used (n = 18). PPI strategies occurred mostly in direct care (n = 88). Patient and public education was the PPI strategy most reported (n = 31), followed by population consultations (n = 30). CONCLUSIONS: PPI in scaling is increasing in HSS. Further investigation is needed to better document the PPI experience in scaling and ensure that it occurs in a meaningful and equitable way. PATIENT AND PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Two patients were involved in this review. They shared decisions on review questions, data collection instruments, protocol design, and findings dissemination. REVIEW REGISTRATION: Open Science Framework on 19 August 2020 (https://osf.io/zqpx7/).

Lessons from community engagement to improve COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

BACKGROUND: Community engagement is recognized as a vital component of health-related research and programs, particularly during infectious disease outbreaks and epidemics. Despite the importance of engaging communities in the response to COVID-19, relatively little research has examined how this was (or was not) achieved, and even less in low- and middle-income countries. This article describes the community engagement that accompanied efforts to strengthen COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment as part of the ECO Project in Cochabamba, Bolivia and highlights lessons for future pandemic response. METHODS: Community engagement involved formative assessment, co-creation to develop a health information campaign, ongoing community listening and evaluation. Qualitative data were collected during workshops, project meetings and focus groups. Questionnaire-based surveys were conducted to assess COVID-19-related attitudes, knowledge and practices. RESULTS: The collected data highlighted the value of working closely with well-established community health committees and involving community members with social media skills in the design of COVID-19-related messages to address on- and offline misinformation. Co-creation sessions enabled the adjustment of the information campaign in terms of content and approach based on the needs and preferences of community members and health staff. The continuous listening with community and health personnel facilitated the ongoing adaptation of project activities. CONCLUSION: Through a stepped and multi-pronged approach, incorporating co-creation and community listening, the engagement could respond to emerging local challenges during the pandemic. The project created spaces for dialogue and opportunities for collaboration that strengthened links between the community and the health services.

Main findings Key elements of community engagement to improve COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment in Cochabamba, Bolivia, included working closely with well-established community health committees, involving community members with social media skills in the co-design of COVID-19-related messages, and continuous listening with community and health personnel facilitated the ongoing adaptation of project activities.Added knowledge With little research on community engagement for COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment in Latin America, this study reports the results of mixed methods research on the impact of a comprehensive approach to engagement that highlights lessons for future health emergencies.Global health impact for policy and action Lessons for engagement in health emergencies include the need for a multi-pronged approach, incorporating co-creation and community listening, to respond to emerging local challenges.

Strategies to foster community engagement for epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: The surge of public health emergencies over the past decade has disproportionately affected sub-Saharan Africa. These include outbreaks of infectious diseases such as Ebola, Monkeypox and COVID-19. Experience has shown that community participation is key to the successful implementation of infection control activities. Despite the pivotal role community engagement plays in epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response activities, strategies to engage communities have been underexplored to date, particularly in sub-Sahara Africa. Furthermore, reviews conducted have not included evidence from the latest pandemic, COVID-19. This scoping review aims to address these gaps by documenting through available literature, the strategies for community engagement for epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response in sub-Sahara Africa. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will use the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews and the methodological framework for scoping reviews from Arksey and O'Malley to guide the review. Two reviewers will develop a systematic search strategy to identify articles published from January 2014 to date. We will retrieve peer-reviewed research published in the English language from databases including Embase, EBSCO-host, PubMed, Global Health, CINAHL, Google Scholar and Web of Science. Additionally, we will search for relevant grey literature from the websites of specific international organisations, public health institutes and Government Ministries of Health in African countries. After the removal of duplicates, the two reviewers will independently screen all titles, abstracts and full articles to establish the relevance of each study for inclusion in the review. We will extract data from the included articles using a data extraction tool and present the findings in tabular form with an accompanying narrative to aid comprehension. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not required for the conduct of scoping reviews. We plan to disseminate the findings from this review through publications in a peer-reviewed journal, presentations at conferences and meetings with policy-makers.

Emerging technologies in citizen science and potential for insect monitoring.

Emerging technologies are increasingly employed in environmental citizen science projects. This integration offers benefits and opportunities for scientists and participants alike. Citizen science can support large-scale, long-term monitoring of species occurrences, behaviour and interactions. At the same time, technologies can foster participant engagement, regardless of pre-existing taxonomic expertise or experience, and permit new types of data to be collected. Yet, technologies may also create challenges by potentially increasing financial costs, necessitating technological expertise or demanding training of participants. Technology could also reduce people's direct involvement and engagement with nature. In this perspective, we discuss how current technologies have spurred an increase in citizen science projects and how the implementation of emerging technologies in citizen science may enhance scientific impact and public engagement. We show how technology can act as (i) a facilitator of current citizen science and monitoring efforts, (ii) an enabler of new research opportunities, and (iii) a transformer of science, policy and public participation, but could also become (iv) an inhibitor of participation, equity and scientific rigour. Technology is developing fast and promises to provide many exciting opportunities for citizen science and insect monitoring, but while we seize these opportunities, we must remain vigilant against potential risks. This article is part of the theme issue 'Towards a toolkit for global insect biodiversity monitoring'.

Assessing early feasibility of a novel innovation to increase consumer partnership capability within an Australian health innovation organisation using a mixed-method approach.

OBJECTIVE: Engagement-capable health organisations recognise that consumer engagement (also known as patient engagement, consumer engagement, patient and public involvement) must occur at every level of the organisation if it is to be meaningful and genuine. Despite this aspiration, health organisations struggle to adopt, implement, and embody consumer engagement capability in a way that has yielded impact. The Partner Ring (PR) is an embedded model for building staff capability for consumer partnerships. It is hosted by an employed Patient Partner. PR was implemented at the Agency for Clinical Innovation in New South Wales, Australia. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility (acceptability, demand and practicality) of this innovation to increase consumer engagement capability. DESIGN: One-group post-intervention mixed methods approach to assess feasibility. PARTICIPANTS: ACI staff engaged in the PR (n=40 of 89 members). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Qualitative data was collected through an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven interactive interview, with 40 responses received between 29 June and 12 July 2023. A framework analysis and Generative AI causal mapping were conducted to identify and visualise causal claims within the texts. Cost and session attendance collected from the same point in time supplemented the analysis. FINDINGS: Findings were categorised by the following feasibility constructs: acceptability, demand and practicality. Almost all the respondents indicated their intent to continue using the PR and outlined personal benefits and professional benefits. For example, (n=23, 57%) reacted positively to the psychological safety of the PR, and professionally people identified attendance increased their knowledge and skills (n=23, 57%). CONCLUSION: The PR is feasible and likely to be an acceptable innovation for building staff capability and consumer engagement skills across a large health system or organisation. It could be adopted or adapted by other jurisdictions.

Exploring community participation in vectorborne disease control in Southeast Asia: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Vector borne diseases (VBDs) present significant public health challenges in Southeast Asia (SEA), and the increasing number of cases threatens vulnerable communities. Inadequate vector control and management have been linked to the spread of VBDs. To address these issues, community participation has been proposed as a promising approach to enhance health programmes and control of VBDs. This article outlines a protocol for a scoping review of the published literature on community-participation approaches to control VBDs in the SEA region. The primary research question is 'How does community participation complement the control of VBDs in SEA?' This review aims to provide an overview of various approaches and identify barriers and facilitators to effective implementation. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The research questions will guide the scoping review. In stage 1, peer-reviewed publications from PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus will be searched using predefined search terms related to community-based approaches and VBDs in the SEA region, English, Indonesian and Malay published between 2012 and 2022. In stage 2, the references from relevant articles will be screened for eligibility. In stage 3, eligible articles will be charted in Microsoft Excel to facilitate the review process, and studies will be characterised based on the investigated diseases; this review will also highlight the methodological context of these studies. In stage 4, a thematic analysis will be conducted to derive meaningful findings from the dataset relevant to the research inquiry, followed by writing the results in stage 5. This scoping review aims to be the first to explore community participation in VBD control in the SEA population, providing valuable insights for future research and stakeholders involved in disease control. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This scoping review does not require ethical approval because the methodology synthesises information from available articles. This review is planned for dissemination in academic journals, conference presentations and shared with stakeholders as part of knowledge sharing among those involved in VBD control.

PPIE in a technical research study: Using public involvement to refine the concept and understanding and move towards a multidimensional concept of disability.

BACKGROUND: Disability is often an essentialised and oversimplified concept. We propose refining this while incorporating the multidimensional nature of disability by increasing the use of existing survey questions and their corresponding data to enrich, broaden and inform understandings of disability. METHODS: We combined patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) with focus groups and concept mapping to collaboratively map disability survey questions into conceptual models of disability with six members of the public with lived experiences of disability. RESULTS: Using reflexive thematic analysis, we identified three qualitative themes and eight subthemes through a series of four PPIE activities: (1) understanding concepts of disability based on individual experience, subthemes: 1.1-preference for the biopsychosocial model, 1.2-'Reviewing' instead of mapping survey questions and 1.3-comparing questions to real life; (2) consistency between understanding needs and implementing adjustments, subthemes: 2.1-connecting preparation and operation, 2.2-inclusivity and adjustments in activities and 2.3-feedback for improving activities and (3) real-world applications-targeted awareness raising, subthemes: 3.1-who, where, what and how to share activity findings and results, 3.2-sharing with human resource and equality, diversity and inclusion professionals. CONCLUSION: Members of the public who collaborated in these activities felt empowered, engaged and supported throughout this study. This approach offers a model for other researchers to cede power to the public over the research aspects typically reserved for researchers. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: We involved members of the public with lived experience throughout this study-co-design, co-facilitation, collaboratively mapping the disability or disability-related survey questions into conceptual models of disability, evaluation of the activities, co-analysis and co-authorship.

Barriers and drivers of public engagement in palliative care, Scoping review.

BACKGROUND: The integral model of Palliative Care recognizes the community as essential element in improving quality of life of patients and families. It is necessary to find a formula that allows the community to have a voice. The aim of this scoping review is to identify barriers and facilitators to engage community in PC. METHODS: Systematic search was conducted in NICE, Cochrane Library, Health Evidence, CINAHL and PubMed database. KEYWORDS: Palliative care, End of life care, community networks, community engagement, public engagement, community participation, social participation, barriers and facilitators. RESULTS: Nine hundred seventy-one results were obtained. Search strategy and inclusion criteria yielded 13 studies that were read in detail to identify factors influencing community engagement in palliative care, categorized into: Public health and public engagement; Community attitudes towards palliative care, death and preferences at the end of life; Importance of volunteers in public engagement programs; Compassionate communities. CONCLUSION: Societal awareness must be a facilitated process to catalyse public engagement efforts. National policy initiatives and regional system support provide legitimacy and focus is essential for funding. The first step is to get a sense of what is important to society, bearing in mind cultural differences and to channel those aspects through health care professionals; connecting the most assistential part with community resources. The process and long-term results need to be systematically evaluated.

A Translational Case Study of a Multisite COVID-19 Public Health Intervention Across Sequenced Research Trials: Embedding Implementation in a Community Engagement Phased Framework.

Through a COVID-19 public health intervention implemented across sequenced research trials, we present a community engagement phased framework that embeds intervention implementation: (1) consultation and preparation, (2) collaboration and implementation, and (3) partnership and sustainment. Intervention effects included mitigation of psychological distress and a 0.28 increase in the Latinx population tested for SARS-CoV-2. We summarize community engagement activities and implementation strategies that took place across the trials to illustrate the value of the framework for public health practice and research. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(S5):S396-S401. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307669).

Linking communities and health facilities to improve child health in low-resource settings: a systematic review.

Community-facility linkage interventions are gaining popularity as a way to improve community health in low-income settings. Their aim is to create/strengthen a relationship between community members and local healthcare providers. Representatives from both groups can address health issues together, overcome trust problems, potentially leading to participants' empowerment to be responsible for their own health. This can be achieved via different approaches. We conducted a systematic literature review to explore how this type of intervention has been implemented in rural and low or lower-middle-income countries, its various features and how/if it has helped to improve child health in these settings. Publications from three electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed and Embase) up to 03 February 2022 were screened, with 14 papers meeting the inclusion criteria (rural setting in low/lower-middle-income countries, presence of a community-facility linkage component, outcomes of interest related to under-5 children's health, peer-reviewed articles containing original data written in English). We used Rosato's integrated conceptual framework for community participation to assess the transformative and community-empowering capacities of the interventions, and realist principles to synthesize the outcomes. The results of this analysis highlight which conditions can lead to the success of this type of intervention: active inclusion of hard-to-reach groups, involvement of community members in implementation's decisions, activities tailored to the actual needs of interventions' contexts and usage of mixed methods for a comprehensive evaluation. These lessons informed the design of a community-facility linkage intervention and offer a framework to inform the development of monitoring and evaluation plans for future implementations.

Re-examining Geospatial Online Participatory Tools for Environmental Planning.

Geospatial online participatory tools, or geo-OPTs, are increasingly used worldwide for engaging the public in planning. Yet, despite growth in the adoption and use of geo-OPTs, and the growing scholarship to accompany it, our understanding of their ability to support public participation in environmental planning is still underdeveloped. In this paper, we investigate the application of a geo-OPT by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), a leading water management agency in the United States, in three contextually and geographically diverse cases. Through a combination of document analysis, interviews, and participant observation, we examine the processes and dynamics associated with the development and use of the geo-OPT Crowdsource Reporter. Our findings highlight the importance of managing geo-OPTs not in isolation or as a panacea but rather as part of a broader planning process that recognizes the complexity and significance of communication in geo-OPT processes. Although it may be tempting and seemingly simple to create and launch these online tools, our research reveals how a lack of intention early on may lead to underuse or misapplication of the tool. More significantly, real damage can be done, like increased public frustration and alienation, resulting in breakdown in communications or even worsening public relations for federal agencies.

Community-Partnered Research appraisal tool for conducting, reporting and assessing community-based research.

Objective The aim of this study was to develop an appraisal tool to support and promote clear, accurate and transparent standards and consistency when conducting, reporting and assessing community-based research. Design Current recommendations for developing reporting guidelines was used with three key differences: (1) an analysis of existing guides, principles and published literature about community engagement, involvement and participation in research using situational and relational maps; (2) feedback and pilot-testing by a community-based research team; and (3) testing the utility and usability of the appraisal tool. Results After a series of iterative revisions, the resulting Community-Partnered Research (CPR) appraisal tool emerged into three products: an elaborate prospective format, a basic retrospective format, and a supplemental checklist format. All three versions of the CPR appraisal tool consist of 11 main question items with corresponding prompts aimed to facilitate awareness, accountability, and transparency about processes and practices employed by professional researchers and community co-researchers throughout four phases of research: (1) partnership and planning, (2) methods, (3) results and (4) sustainment. Conclusion We hope that introducing this tool will contribute to shifting individual and systematic processes and practices towards equitable partnerships, mutual trustworthiness and empowerment among professional researchers and community co-researchers and, in turn, improving the quality of co-created knowledge that benefits communities and creates social change.

Community Engagement in Vaccination Promotion: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Community engagement plays a vital role in global immunization strategies, offering the potential to overcome vaccination hesitancy and enhance vaccination confidence. Although there is significant backing for community engagement in health promotion, the evidence supporting its effectiveness in vaccination promotion is fragmented and of uncertain quality. OBJECTIVE: This review aims to systematically examine the effectiveness of different contents and extent of community engagement for promoting vaccination rates. METHODS: This study was performed in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. A comprehensive and exhaustive literature search was performed in 4 English databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) and 2 Chinese databases (CNKI and Wan Fang) to identify all possible articles. Original research articles applying an experimental study design that investigated the effectiveness of community engagement in vaccination promotion were eligible for inclusion. Two reviewers independently performed the literature search, study selection, quality assessment, and data extraction. Discrepancies were resolved through discussion, with the arbitration of a third reviewer where necessary. RESULTS: A total of 20 articles out of 11,404 records from 2006 to 2021 were retrieved. The studies used various designs: 12 applied single-group pre-post study designs, 5 were cluster randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and 3 were non-RCTs. These studies targeted multiple vaccines, with 8 focusing on children's immunization, 8 on human papillomavirus vaccine, 3 on hepatitis B virus vaccine, and 1 on COVID-19 vaccine. The meta-analysis revealed significant increases in vaccination rates both in pre-post comparison (rate difference [RD] 0.34, 95% CI 0.21-0.47, I2=99.9%, P<.001) and between-group comparison (RD 0.18, 95% CI 0.07-0.29, I2=98.4%, P<.001). The meta-analysis revealed that participant recruitment had the largest effect size (RD 0.51, 95% CI 0.36-0.67, I2=99.9%, P<.001), followed by intervention development (RD 0.36, 95% CI 0.23-0.50, I2=100.0%, P<.001), intervention implementation (RD 0.35, 95% CI 0.22-0.47, I2=99.8%, P<.001), and data collection (RD 0.34, 95% CI 0.19-0.50, I2=99.8%, P<.001). The meta-analysis indicated that high community engagement extent yielded the largest effect size (RD 0.49, 95% CI 0.17-0.82, I2=100.0%, P<.001), followed by moderate community engagement extent (RD 0.45, 95% CI 0.33-0.58, I2=99.6%, P<.001) and low community engagement extent (RD 0.15, 95% CI 0.05-0.25, I2=99.2%, P<.001). The meta-analysis revealed that "health service support" demonstrated the largest effect sizes (RD 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.65, I2=99.9%, P<.001), followed by "health education and discussion" (RD 0.39, 95% CI 0.20-0.58, I2=99.7%, P<.001), "follow-up and reminder" (RD 0.33, 95% CI 0.23-0.42, I2=99.3%, P<.001), and "social marketing campaigns and community mobilization" (RD 0.24, 95% CI 0.06-0.41, I2=99.9%, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this meta-analysis supported the effectiveness of community engagement in vaccination promotion with variations in terms of engagement contents and extent. Community engagement required a "fit-for-purpose" approach rather than a "one-size-fits-all" approach to maximize the effectiveness of vaccine promotion. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42022339081; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=339081.

Experiences and Lessons Learned From the RADx-UP Consortium Community Engagement Projects.

In this study, we used emerging community engagement frameworks to describe the structure and outcomes of a large-scale, community-engaged, research-to-practice initiative, RADx-UP. Qualitative methods were used to analyze survey and meeting data from 2022 for RADx-UP projects. Most projects had diverse partners, achieved moderate levels of community engagement, and experienced positive outcomes. Challenges related to engagement readiness and partnership functioning. These findings demonstrate that community engagement is measurable and valuable. However, additional support is needed to achieve the highest engagement. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(S5):S405-S409. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307615).

Importance of patient and public involvement in doctoral research involving people living with dementia.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing recognition of the need to include patients and the public in the research process. There is extensive literature about patient and public involvement (PPI) in research, but fewer articles report on PPI in doctoral research. AIM: To reflect on establishing an advisory group for a doctoral study, exploring the opportunities and challenges associated with including patients with dementia in the research process. DISCUSSION: The authors discuss the practicalities of establishing an advisory group, the challenges of being a novice researcher, long-term commitment to PPI, the overall approach to PPI and ethical considerations. CONCLUSION: Establishing an advisory group for a doctoral study can facilitate mutual learning and enhance the study's quality. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Achieving high-quality PPI in health and social care research can ultimately improve its quality and relevance. An important aspect of the doctoral journey is developing knowledge and skills to facilitate PPI as part of a researcher's apprenticeship.

Participación ciudadana, imprescindible en procesos comunitarios: experiencia en la realización del diagnóstico de salud de Santpedor / Citizen participation, essential in community processes: experience in the Santpedor health diagnosis

Introducción. En este artículo se quiere plasmar la grata experiencia de hacer un diagnóstico de salud en la población de Santpedor. El diagnóstico se llevó a cabo con acción participativa desde el primer momento y durante todo el proceso. Se hizo con un grupo motor, donde solo dos de las 15 personas que lo representan eran agentes sanitarios. Estos agentes legitimaron el proceso comunitario, coordinaron el grupo motor y lo guiaron. Sin embargo, eran una pieza más del puzle comunitario, siendo los otros 13 agentes comunitarios no sanitarios los auténticos protagonistas al posibilitar llegar a la población y completar el puzle comunitario. Objetivo. Realizar el diagnóstico de salud de Santpedor con acción participativa. Métodos. Se utilizó una metodología mixta secuencial y explicativa, con una parte cuantitativa (descriptivo transversal) y una parte cualitativa (acción participativa). En este artículo se explica la metodología que se utilizó para hacer el diagnóstico de salud de Santpedor y se describen las estrategias participativas para llegar a la población y favorecer la pertinencia en el proceso comunitario, así como las técnicas empleadas para la detección de las necesidades y su priorización. Las técnicas cualitativas utilizadas para la detección de los activos fueron el mapping party y la marcha de activos. Las técnicas empleadas para identificar las necesidades fueron la encuesta y las entrevistas grupales (grupos focales, grupo nominal y entrevistas individuales). Resultados. Se identificaron 604 activos de Santpedor. En el análisis cuantitativo se observó que Santpedor presentaba un gran relevo generacional y un tejido económico diversificado. En el análisis cualitativo, se logró una gran cantidad de información con la que, una vez analizada y trabajada con todo el grupo motor, se confeccionó un listado con 17 necesidades que había que cubrir para mejorar la salud de la población. ... (AU)

Introduction. In this paper we seek to capture the pleasant experience in making a health diagnosis in the Santpedor population. The diagnosis was made with participation from the very first moment and during the entire process. It was made with a driving group where only two of the 15 people representing it were health agents. These agents legitimized the community process, coordinated the driving group and guided it. However, they were just one more piece of the community puzzle, the other 13 non-health community agents being the real protagonists to reach the population and complete the community puzzle. Aim. To make a health diagnosis in Santpedor with the population taking part. Methods. A mixed explanatory sequential methodology was used. Comprised of a quantitative part (cross-sectional descriptive) and a qualitative part (participation). This paper explains the methodology used to made this. It reports the participation used to reach the population and favour relevance in the community process; as well as the techniques used to detect needs and their prioritization. The qualitative techniques used to detect assets were: mapping party, asset march. The techniques used to detect needs were by means of a survey ("bustiada") and group interviews (focus groups, nominal group and individual interviews). Results. A total of 604 Santpedor assets were identified. In the quantitative analysis, it was observed that Santpedor had a major generational change and a diversified economic fabric. In the qualitative analysis, a large amount of information was obtained which, once analyzed and worked on with the entire driving group, led to a list of 17 needs to improve the health of the population. These needs were prioritized by means of a simple vote, where a large citizen participation was attained with 754 votes from the citizens. The first need detected was "housing needs", followed by "public transportation needs", and "work needs". ... (AU)

Escuelas de salud para personas mayores. Espacios que sanan, personas que curan / Health Schools for the elderly. Spaces that heal, people who cure

Las escuelas de salud son proyectos comunitarios con un bagaje y una evidencia científica ya conocidos y demostrados. Su influencia en la mejora de la calidad de vida de las persones mayores con soledad no deseada es uno de sus grandes beneficios. Por este motivo, como equipo de Atención Primaria apostamos por ella. El objetivo principal de la escuela es promover el envejecimiento activo y mejorar el estado de salud percibido por las persones mayores de 60 años participantes. Las escuelas de salud son espacios sanadores. Su repercusión es bidireccional, ya que influye en todas las personas que participan, mejorando su calidad de vida y dotándolas de herramientas útiles y sencillas para su día a día a través de los conocimientos adquiridos y las experiencias compartidas. Generar puntos de encuentro en el barrio enriquece y aporta salud más allá de los centros sanitarios. Salir a la calle, hablar de igual a igual, fomentar las redes de apoyo y vincularse a una red, son elementos que fortalecen y mejoran la vertiente social de las personas, ayudándolas a curar heridas de vida. Apostar por la salud comunitaria, es apostar por la salud en todas sus dimensiones. (AU)

Health schools are community projects with a well-known and proven scientific past and background. Their influence in improving the quality of life for elderly individuals experiencing unwanted loneliness is one of their significant benefits. That's why we, as a primary health care team, decided to support it. The main aim of the school is to promote active aging and enhance the perceived health status of participants aged over 60. Health schools are healing spaces. Their impact is bidirectional, which has an impact on all participants. Our quality of life improves as we share knowledge and experiences, providing us with healing, useful and straightforward tools for our daily lives. Creating meeting points in the neighbourhood enriches us and contributes to our well-being beyond healthcare centres. Going out into the community, having peer to peer conversations, fostering support networks, and connecting with others sustain us and make us socially stronger, healing life's wounds. To take a chance on the community is in essence to bet on health in all its dimensions. (AU)

Intervención participativa comunitaria: necesidades de salud de las personas mayores durante el período de la pandemia por COVID-19 / Community participatory intervention: health needs of older people during the COVID-19 pandemic period

Objetivo. Proponer una intervención participativa comunitaria según las necesidades de salud percibida por las personas mayores del Programa de Salud Cardiovascular de un centro de salud familiar y comunitaria de una comuna de Santiago de Chile durante el período de la pandemia de la COVID-19. Métodos. Se utilizó una metodología participativa de la comunidad, la cual se desarrolló en dos fases: diagnóstico participativo comunitario y desarrollo de la propuesta participativa de una intervención en salud comunitaria. Resultados. Desde el diagnóstico participativo comunitario, los participantes eligieron el desarrollo de un programa educativo fundamentado en las necesidades de salud, además de la entrega de material educativo sobre estilos de vida saludable y recomendaciones para tener un buen control de sus enfermedades. Conclusión. Desde el diagnóstico y planificación participativa, es posible intervenir en pro de las necesidades de las personas, familias y comunidades y capacitarlas en el manejo de su propia salud. (AU)

Aim. To propose a community participatory intervention according to the health needs perceived by elderly people in the Family and Community Health Centre Cardiovascular Health programme of a Santiago de Chile commune during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. A community participatory methodology was used, which was developed over two phases: community participatory diagnosis and development of a participatory proposal for a community health intervention. Results. From the community participatory diagnosis, participants opted for development of an educational programme based on health needs, in addition to the delivery of educational material related to healthy lifestyles and recommendations for robust control of their diseases. Conclusion. From diagnosis and participatory planning, it is possible to intervene in favour of the needs of individuals, families and communities and train them in managing their own health. (AU)