Community-Based Participatory Research to Advance Nursing Science: An Overview

Purpose/Aims: This symposium illustrates how researchers design and implement quantitative and qualitative research methods that apply principles of community-based participatory research (CBPR) to promote the health of vulnerable populations. As a foundation for the studies, an overview of CBPR principles is presented as an approach for addressing health disparities in order to promote social justice; attention will similarly be given to the theoretical and philosophical groundings for the approach.

Background: In the past decade, CBPR, also known as community-partnered research, has become increasingly popular whereby researchers collaborate with communities in the design, implementation and evaluation of health promotion research. CBPR differs from traditional research by involving community members in the research process to promote culturally - relevant studies and sustainability of interventions over time. Use of the approach builds on strengths and resources within the community and fosters capacity building among all partners. The phases of CBPR are delineated in Anderson’s Community Partnership Model (i.e. pre-engagement; engagement; community assessment; intervention design; implementation, evaluation and dissemination; and sustainment).

Overview of studies: Exemplary models of how CBPR principles are integrated into research and the strategies applied are provided by symposium presenters. First, Dr. Adey Nyamathi will describe how application of CBPR principles led to development of a culturally-relevant, theory-based intervention for the treatment of HIV-infected women in India and the involvement of village women as direct caregivers in her longitudinal experimental study. Second, Dr. Benissa Salem will discuss the development of a two-phased pilot study which addresses health needs, HIV risk behaviors and areas of intervention among middle age and older homeless women. Next, Ariel Rankin describes applications of CBPR in designing her qualitative research study aimed to examine the experience of older African American women, diagnosed with HIV/AIDS at the age of 50 and older, experiences navigating the healthcare system.

Implications: Domestically and internationally, the insights gained from this these studies enhance understanding about differing strategies used to integrate CBPR principles in research with vulnerable populations. Researchers working with communities recognize the strengths of their community partners and how their combined efforts may lead to co-learning that fosters development of relevant research that promises to improve health outcomes of vulnerable populations.