AFRO-NETS> Community Based Research

[Ernie Lang <erniel@turningpoint.org.au>]

Community Based Research
------------------------
Source: health-l@zamnet.zm


Dear all,

In response to a question on AFRO-NETS, one participant posted the fol-
lowing short note on Community Based Research (CBR):

What is Community Based Research?

Community level action will usually involve one of three models of in-
tervention:

(a) Social planning - the so-called top down approach -based on the
    public health model which involves outside professionals as the 
    change agents who provides facts, develop programs and negotiate 
    strategies; 
(b) Social action - the bottom-up or grassroots approach - where local 
    groups mobilise around an issue and seek basic changes at local 
    level;
(c) Locality development - which involves local community groups devel- 
    oping various strategies in conjunction with outside 'experts' who 
    act as a skills teachers and assist with obtaining funding, setting 
    up programs and advising on various methods.

Ideally, community based research programs should target the general 
community as opposed to special populations (i.e., clinic attendees, 
school-based populations). Community programs then, should involve
people in a designated area (geographic region, town, county, suburb, 
street, village) dealing with problems specific to their community - 
usually the immediate consequences of such problems rather than long 
term ones.

Community level actions have particular aims and forms. Major initia-
tives (taxes, legislation, regulations) are taken elsewhere and so com-
munities are constrained although action can be directed to bring about 
change at other levels.

Because it is difficult to get diverse range racial, economic, institu-
tional people to agree to work together, must have shared leadership 
between local groups including government, police, church, health serv-
ice providers etc. The groups, organisations and institutions which 
provide valuable services to the community, are best placed to foster a 
sense of solidarity through involvement in community based research 
programs. Thus community programs involve local people assessing their 
own needs, setting their own priorities and influencing local policy 
initiatives.  Communities, therefore, are much more likely to feel a 
sense of ownership of programs they helped develop and implement and so 
are more likely to actively support any prevention initiatives.

The goal of community programs, in line with public health theory, 
ought to be: To reduce the incidence of harm; to promote a supportive 
environment by reducing factors that contribute to and maintain 
"harms"; and, to promote change to the physical environment to reduce 
risk of harm through injury.

Ernie Lang
mailto:erniel@turningpoint.org.au

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