Community-based participatory research using community activation and peer support through churches

Participatory research involves working “with” rather than “on” communities. This chapter provides a case study to provide illustration of how effective partnerships can improve health outcomes within community settings. The partnership described in this chapter was developed between the Pasifika community living across Sydney and a university-based research team. The primary aim of this partnership was to work collaboratively on strategies to prevent diabetes and its harms through churches. This partnership was also available to help expedite COVID-19 awareness through this at-risk community, as well as other health initiatives. The chapter illustrates how participatory research frameworks guided the development and maintenance of the relationship with the community throughout the research program and beyond. In particular, the chapter focuses on the church setting and how this came to be identified as being the best setting to reach the Sydney Pasifika community. It also describes the initial steps in the relationship building with key community leaders and the planning of a church-based program to reduce the impact of diabetes in Pasifika communities, guided by a Pasifika community reference group. Last, the chapter explains how a long-term relationship has been maintained with the community to deliver an effective program together, and how further opportunities have been established for the research team to support the Pasifika community outside of the primary research program.

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