BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Health promotion necessitates a multifaceted approach, focusing on individual, social, and environmental factors. Participatory Action Research (PAR) offers a process for community-level knowledge to inform these approaches, but little is known about its actual utilization. This review was conducted to explore the implementation and effectiveness of PAR in health promotion in the Philippine context. The specific objectives are: 1) to systematically map and analyze the existing literature on PAR in health promotion within the Philippine context; 2) to identify and categorize the levels of community participation in PAR initiatives; and 3) to evaluate the spheres of influence of health equity principles in PAR methodologies in health promotion.

METHODS

A scoping review was implemented following the protocol by Mak and Thomas (2022), guided by the Health Equity Framework and the New Economics Foundation's Ladder of Participation, highlighting the empowerment and participation of communities in health research to produce relevant and sustainable outcomes. PubMed, HERDIN, and Google Scholar were searched to gather a comprehensive range of literature, then analyzed for themes relating to community engagement in health promotion through PAR.

RESULTS

A total of 452 articles were obtained from the initial search. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 12 articles were included for analysis. The results highlighted the importance of engaging community leaders and advocacy groups as entry points in engaging community members, which were seen to be more effective in collaborating with the community. PAR was able to effectively identify gaps in health systems, particularly in access to programs for vulnerable sectors. The studies also exhibited differing levels of participation of the researchers with diverse population groups. This diversity in participant engagement led to more tailored and community specific interventions, fostering social innovation and better community well-being.

CONCLUSION

The integration of PAR in health promotion demonstrates a robust approach to addressing health inequities, showcasing the potential for community driven research to foster equitable health outcomes. PAR enabled communities to lead and shape interventions, making them more relevant and effective. The spectrum of participatory activities reveals the diversity of PAR as a research approach, and an opportunity to develop guidelines on what constitutes PAR in the global context. This approach is crucial in developing sustainable health strategies that are responsive to the needs of diverse communities, ultimately contributing to the global discourse on community-driven health promotion and equity.

Health Promotion ; Research ; Philippines

This virtual forum showcased successful women leaders in the Philippine health sector who shared their journeys and advice with early-career professionals. The speakers emphasized the significance of mentorship, claiming space, and taking risks. They also highlighted the need for support systems to encourage non-traditional career paths in the health sector for women. The discussion acknowledged the challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community in accessing appropriate healthcare and the importance of generating evidence and dialogue to address their unique health needs. Across these contexts, common themes emerged in the importance of mentorship for women leaders in overcoming societal biases and stereotypes.
Gender Equity ; Mentors

Objective: This study aims to explore the fishing methods and occupational safety practices of fisherfolk in a coastal municipality in Central Luzon.

Methods: Key informant interviews were conducted with leaders of fishing organizations and the Municipal Agricultural Officer using a semi-structured interview guide.

Results: Fisherfolk in the selected municipality adopted a variety of fishing practices, equipment, and methods suitable for each individual or group of fisherfolk. Safety practices were either self-learned from observation of elders and family members or arose from a trial-and-error basis, with an emphasis on precautionary measures to avoid injury.

Conclusion: Fishing practices highly varies, the most prominent of which is using numerous equipment for catching fish and other marine products by hand. Occupational safety practices are mainly focused on the avoidance of hazards.

Hunting