Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action

Abstract:

Background: The Flint Women's Study is a large community-based participatory qualitative study designed to create and inform community initiatives to serve Flint-area women by exploring their needs, challenges, hopes, dreams, assets, and thoughts about solutions. This article describes the study goals, processes, and lessons learned.

Methods: We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with 100 Flint-area women or human service providers serving area women. Participants represented diverse professional backgrounds, life experiences, ages, races, and ethnicities. Community members participated in developing the qualitative interview guide, participant recruitment, qualitative coding, analysis, publication, and creation of initiatives based on results.

Lessons Learned: Partnering in discovery and in identifying solutions provides a strong foundation for building trust and mutual capacity. The coding experience helped community partners to hone marketable qualitative research skills, which can elevate community's voice in research.

Conclusions: Efforts to benefit women should ensure their representation in every step of the process.