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Community participation
In health promotion, community participation is a process
whereby individuals and families take charge of their own
(and their community’s) health and well-being. Through this
participation, individuals and social groups can, on the one
hand, increase their health responsibilities, and on the
other hand, contribute to a more global development.
Throughout the world, experience has shown that a medical
approach, by itself, cannot adequately improve complex
health issues in communities which are vulnerable or
weakened by harsh living conditions.
Community participation involves active voluntary
involvement of groups and local communities at every level
of health promotion programs.
In the organization and development of efficient healthcare
services, community participation entails:
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unequivocal
commitment to health promotion
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the desire to raise the level of services provided to the
most vulnerable groups as well as the level of
satisfaction obtained
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acknowledging the healthcare benefits of mobilizing local
resources
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the contribution of healthcare efforts in consolidating
the social fabric
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the development of equitable men/women relationships
Community participation is a powerful lever to initiate the
beginning of collective responses to public health concerns
associated with primary healthcare, the reduction of
maternal mortality, as well as STIs and AIDS.
As they incite community groups and associations to
participate in health promotion in high risk populations,
our programs also support preventive behaviors such as
condom-use (in the context of responsible sex) and turning
to healthcare services when confronted with STI and AIDS.
We believe that this type of intervention is essential to
the sustainability of the West Africa AIDS Project.
The expertise in community participation support which has
been developed by the CCISD constitutes one of its most
original strengths.
The Community Participation Regional Support Team provides
tools and strategies, essentially aiding the 9 Country Teams
which will define, support (both technically and
financially), monitor and supervise local STI/AIDS promotion
and prevention initiatives (initiatives developed by civil
organizations dealing with health, education and community
mobilization among the more vulnerable groups).
References
Community
participation: The trend within AIDS3, and the positioning
of the thematic support team for the remaining part of the
program (PDF, in French)
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