142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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On Partnerships, Community Engagement and Community Organizing: A Case Study in Peru

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Monday, November 17, 2014 : 1:06 PM - 1:18 PM

Graciela Jaschek, MPH , Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD
Stephanie Grutzmacher, PhD , Department of Family Studies, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Elisabeth Maring, PhD , Department of Family Science, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD
Greg Raspanti, MPH , Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Background: In January 2014 a collaborative group of 11 students and faculty members from the Engineering and Public Health Schools of the University of Maryland College Park returned to Compone, Peru to implement a water chlorination project and targeted public health interventions. The purpose of the Public Health Team (PHT) was to engage the community of approximately 70 households to ensure the sustainability of the project and to provide educational interventions on water chlorination, the consequences of water borne diseases, and oral rehydration therapy.

Methods: Prior to departure the Engineering and Public Health teams developed water related interventions including design plans, curricula materials, and interview and evaluation protocols. Students were also introduced to social mapping, cultural competency, health literacy and other concepts.

Results: The Public Health Team organized one faena (community-wide effort), four community meetings, four adult and four child educational interventions, ten face-to-face interviews, and three interviews with regional sanitation officials. The PHT interviews were conducted to map social relationships and networks of communication, and to understand local expressions, beliefs and customs. The PHT interventions were designed to build trust, stimulate transparent dialogue, and clarify priorities.

Discussion: The partnership between the PHT and Engineers without Borders was central to the success of the water chlorination project. The PHT focused on building the cultural and linguistic competence, and the social and behavioral knowledge that are key to engaging the community. Looking ahead, the PHT will consider additional interventions such as leadership development and next steps in community organizing.

Learning Areas:

Diversity and culture
Environmental health sciences
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe how to engage the community Define community needs in relation to a specific intervention Understand social mapping Evaluate networks of communication

Keyword(s): International Health, Water & Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I was selected by the Dean and have been engaged in this project to develop a collaboration between Engineers without Borders and the School of Public Health from the inception of the project. I contributed to the project with my cultural and linguistic competence, and my extensive experience in community organizing, planning and evaluation.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3261.0: Innovations in international health