Thao MNL, Quoc GN, An MDT, Minh HN, Hong SP, Thai AH, Thi PT, Thanh VNT, Thi NT, Minh TN, Flower B, Cooke GS, Chambers M, Van Nuil JI. Impact of a community-based participatory research project with underserved communities at risk for hepatitis C virus in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: an evaluation study.
RESEARCH INVOLVEMENT AND ENGAGEMENT 2024;
10:82. [PMID:
39113107 PMCID:
PMC11304891 DOI:
10.1186/s40900-024-00619-6]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Participatory approaches have become a widely applied research approach. Despite their popularity, there are many challenges associated with the evaluation of participatory projects. Here we describe an evaluation of a community-based participatory research study of underserved communities in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam at risk for hepatitis C virus. The goals of our evaluation were to explore the main benefits and challenges of implementing and participating in a participatory study and to describe study impacts.
METHODS
We conducted two meetings with leaders and members of the participating groups followed by in-depth interviews with 10 participants. We then held a dissemination meeting with over 70 participants, including the representatives of each group, researchers from non-governmental organizations (community-based, national and international), and govenrment officials from the Vietnam Ministry of Health and the Department of Health of HCMC.
RESULTS
Results include four categories where we describe first the participatory impacts, followed by the collaborative impacts. Then we describe the benefits and challenges of creating and belonging to one of the groups, from members' and leaders' points of view. Finally, we describe the key suggestions that participants provided for future research.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the evaluation approach led to both a research reflection on the 'success' of the project and enabled participants themselves to reflect on the outcomes and benefits of the study from their point of view.
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