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  • Fostering Community Engagement and Acquiring Understanding of Health Needs through a Participatory Rural Appraisal in Haiti
  • Penelope Neal, PhD, MSN, CPNP, Amy Knowles, PhD, MPH, BSN, and Samuel DuMond

What Is the Purpose of the Study?

  • • To partner with individuals from a rural Haitian community to assess health needs.

  • • To use the participatory rural appraisal (PRA) method to empower Haitians to identify and prioritize their health needs.

  • • To gather baseline health data to use for the development of a sustainable community health intervention in the area.

What Is the Problem?

  • • Much of the relief provided to Haiti is not sustainable owing to a lack of partnerships with local communities.

  • • There is a lack of information available regarding the health needs of rural Haitians from the perspective of the people.

  • • Owing to rugged terrain and lack of infrastructure, individuals living in rural Haiti are extremely vulnerable to health threats and health disparities.

What Are the Findings?

  • • Haitian community partners identified three priority needs: a paved road to improve access to the community, a clinic with a pharmacy, and a microloan program to stimulate the economy.

  • • PRA method was found to be an effective way to foster partnership between the international research team and local Haitian community members.

  • • Mutual goal setting, community engagement, and ownership of the assessment by the community leaders were essential to the development of a collaborative action plan.

Who Should Care the Most?

  • • Health care personnel who serve in a global setting.

  • • Individuals/organizations who render aid to developing countries.

  • • Community health action planners.

Recommendations for Actions

  • • It is essential to engage with local community leaders to establish a collaborative action plan.

  • • Seek sustainable development activities instead of short-term relief/aid.

  • • Community assessment activities, such as a PRA, are an effective foundational activity that should precede sustainable health development plans and strategies. [End Page 365]

Penelope Neal
King University
Medic Samaritan
Amy Knowles
King University
Samuel DuMond
Medic Samaritan
...

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