Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #116679

Kurt S. Henne, MPH¹, Bernice J. Pelea, MPH¹, Elena Janine Schooley, MPH², and Wendy MacFarren, MD, MPH³. (1) Project Concern International/Bolivia, Av. 20 de Octubre No 2619, La Paz, Bolivia, (2) Project Concern International (PCI), Project Concern International (PCI), 5151 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 320, San Diego, CA 92123, (3) Programa en Coordinacion de Salud Integral (PROCOSI), Av. 20 de Octubre, 2164, Sopocachi, La Paz, Bolivia, (591-2) 416-054, procosi@caoba.entelnet.bo

BACKGROUND: Despite policy efforts in Bolivia stressing equality and enhanced social participation as key elements to improving health conditions, effective mechanisms that take into consideration the health needs of rural indigenous populations are still lacking. In response, Project Concern International is piloting a methodology that promotes inter-cultural understanding; shared responsibility for community health; a more equitable, participatory process in service provision. The pilot is designed to: 1) increase communication/collaboration between community members and health providers; 2) increase awareness of health providers' and clients' rights; 3) enable public sector institutions to deliver efficient, culturally appropriate services.

DESIGN/METHODS: Modeled after the ‘Puentes' project in Peru, this methodology provides an opportunity for health providers and community members to act as ongoing partners in improving health and health services. Using participatory activities that promote dialogue, reflexión, and analysis, community members and health providers define “quality of care (QOC)” together and subsequently identify shared priorities and develop effective strategies for improving health services and practices.

RESULTS: Increased dialogue and coordination between community and service providers; increased awareness of health providers' and clients' rights; established mechanisms for continual quality improvement and collaboration between health services and community members/organizations.

CONCLUSIONS: Continued implementation and monitoring is needed to verify if preliminary qualitative findings are followed by sustainable, quantitative changes in health service provision and utilization; investigation is needed to ensure an accurate shared conceptualization of QOC; simpler quality improvement tools need to be developed to facilitate equal participation of community/health providers and ensure method's replicability.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to

1 learn about a low-cost methodology involving the community in improving quality of health services.2 evaluate community participation in health programming.
• Examine the possibility of applying the methodology to other settings

Keywords: Community Participation, Quality Improvement

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.