Building Healthy Communities in the Dominican Republic: A Mixed-Methods Approach towards Engaging the Community

Breakout Session 1C: The Building Healthy Communities Creative Inquiry is an ongoing undergraduate and graduate student-led project from Clemson University. Its goal is to facilitate community-driven improvement of a small rural community in the Dominican Republic, Las Malvinas II. We strive to address five public health priorities, identified in consultation with the community, including vaccine-preventable diseases, chronic diseases, education, sanitation, and unwanted pregnancies. To address these areas for improvement, our research used a mixed-methods approach, using both qualitative and quantitative data gathering tools. Qualitative methods included focus groups and interviews with community leaders and relevant governmental and non-governmental organizations from five different sectors, including work, education, community institutions/organizations, health care, and community-at-large sector. The findings were then analyzed to create a Community Health Assessment. For quantitative methods we utilized arcGIS technology. Students created surveys based on health priorities and mapped a comprehensive survey including any personal assets the community household members may have. In spring 2018, students will conduct a photovoice project with the youth of the community