Examining and evaluating multilevel communication within a mixed-methods, community-based participatory research project in a rural, minority–majority U.S. Town

ABSTRACT

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) has been shown to improve health and social well-being by including diverse, marginalized community voices within academic–community partnerships. Although CBPR has gained in popularity, an explicit examination and evaluation of communication processes and outcomes throughout an entire CBPR project is lacking. Here, we analyze interviews with 10 stakeholders (i.e. 4 academic and 6 community partners) about their experiences in a three-phase, mixed-methods project exploring Hispanic and Somali community members’ perceptions of healthcare needs and access in a rural U.S. community. Results reflect that CBPR endeavors include communication challenges, successes, and ongoing tensions not simply between the academic group and community partners but also within these groups. We encourage academic–community research partners to devote considerable efforts to strengthening effective communication between and within multiple identity groups throughout an entire CBPR project (including evaluation) as they work to create, complete, and sustain project goals and outcomes.

KEYWORDS:

• Community-based participatory research (CBPR)
• rural health
• minority health
• intergroup communication
• mixed methods

Acknowledgements

We wish to thank Lexington Regional Health Center staff, including Mulki Hussein; the Dawson County Historical Society Museum and Director Crystal Werger; Nebraska History Museum and Curator of Education Sharon Kennedy; Two Rivers Health Department Director Jeremy Eschliman; and the Nebraska DHHS Office of Minority Health Administrator Josie Rodriguez. Without their help and support, this project would not have been possible. We also thank Grecia Macias, Alyssa Kobza, Nestor Hernandez, Beza Bekele, and Kamryn Sannicks for their help with transcribing interviews. And, finally, we wish to thank the people of Lexington, NE, who generously shared their stories and time with us through Photovoice focus groups, exhibits and completing the survey.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Rural Futures Institute at the University of Nebraska; University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Arts and Sciences: [Grant Number Enhance Grant/21-0524-0011]; Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station with funding from the Hatch capacity funding program from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture: [Grant Number Accession Number 1011764].