Bridging Theory to Practice: Utilizing the Culture-Centered Approach (CCA) to Address Gaps in Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) Processes

The purpose of this study is to provide recommendations to bridging the theoretical with the practical in developing community-based participatory research (CBPR) health communication projects. As illustrated through a review of several case studies from health campaigns using CBPR, often times the theoretical orientations of CBPR become secondary to its praxis, with unspoken motives and agendas become motivating factors in guiding the initiatives. These motives may come in the form of funding organization priorities, funded grant proposal constraints, and the desire to continue relationships that are fostered in the development of CBPR projects. In response, this essay reintroduces the culture-centered approach (CCA) as an additional metatheoretical lens that can be utilized in linking theory to practice. The use of specific reflexive exercises are recommended to draw out unseen power differentials within project partnerships, calling into question the fundamental objectives guiding the decision-making processes within CBPR projects. This essay aspires to compel and strengthen CBPR health communication in practice to become more authentic to the orientation’s original conceptualization

Social context surrounding HIV diagnosis and construction of masculinity: a qualitative study of stigma experiences of heterosexual HIV positive men in southwest Nigeria

Background: Though research has documented experiences of stigma and its effects on the lives of women living with HIV/AIDS, there is limited research on heterosexual positive HIV men experience of stigma in Nigeria. This study explored how social context surrounding HIV diagnosis impacts stigma experiences of heterosexual HIV positive men and their construction of masculinity in southwest Nigeria. Methods: Using purposive sampling, 17 heterosexual HIV positive men were recruited through community based organization to participate in two hours focus group discussions or 45 min in-depth interviews that were audio-recorded. Without using the word stigma, discussions and interviews were guided by four questions that explored participants\u27 experiences of living with HIV/AIDS. Interviews and discussions were conducted in three languages: English, Yoruba and Pidgin English. Thematic data analysis approach was in coding transcribed data, while social constructivist thinking guided data analysis. Results: Participants ranged in age from 30 to 57 years old, and all were receiving antiretroviral therapy. Findings indicated that participants\u27 experiences of stigma might be moderated by the social context surrounding their HIV diagnosis, and whether they have met the socio-cultural construction of masculinity. Participants whose diagnosis were preceded by immediate family members\u27 diagnosis were less likely to report experiencing HIV stigma and more likely to report not feeling less than a man and educating others about HIV/AIDS. Contrarily, participants whose diagnosis was preceded by their own sickness were more likely to report isolation, sigma and feeling of being less than a man. All participants reported limiting their sexual intimacy, and those with children reported adjusting how they performed their role as fathers. Conclusions: Social context surrounding HIV diagnosis impact how heterosexual HIV positive men experience HIV related stigma and how they perceive themselves as men, which may influence their care seeking behaviors. These findings have implications for HIV programs geared towards African heterosexual men in general and HIV positive men in particular

Voices of Black Youth Creating Communicative Spaces in the Context of Heart Disease among African American Teenagers in Marion County Indiana

This dissertation sought to document the communicative and organizing processes in the executing of a culture centered heart health project among black youth in Marion County, Indiana. Culture Centered Approach (CCA) (Airhihenbuwa, 1995, Dutta, 2008) foregrounds equity and social justice as sine qua non for addressing disparities. It promotes engagement of cultural members as equal partners in social change processes, a move that reverses the unequal power that characterize dominant projects (Dutta, 2008).Seeped in the theoretical framework of CCA, I conducted 11-month ethnographic study to uncover the communicative and processes of engaging teenagers as equal partners in the planning and implementing of a heart campaign targeting their peers. I conducted face-to-face interviews, wrote reflexive journal entries, and participated in message tailoring workshops. Through these multiple data sets, I uncovered the following (a) the infusion of cultural voices reverses the unequal power that characterize dominant projects (b) engaging communities as equal partners is a complex process and often characterized by tensions that border on power inequities (c) a culture centered project evolves through organic process that is often characterized by dialogue and collective decision making (d) participation in culture centered process is complex and also characterized by tensions about power, individual versus collective subjectivities (e) Reflexivity is a crucial methodological tool in culture centered process. The findings corroborate culture centered stance on rupturing structural barriers as an entry point to addressing disparities and creating a just world. From programming perspective, this study echo the need for ‘recalibrating’ health projects from below

Social context surrounding HIV diagnosis and construction of masculinity: a qualitative study of stigma experiences of heterosexual HIV positive men in southwest Nigeria

Abstract Background Though research has documented experiences of stigma and its effects on the lives of women living with HIV/AIDS, there is limited research on heterosexual positive HIV men experience of stigma in Nigeria. This study explored how social context surrounding HIV diagnosis impacts stigma experiences of heterosexual HIV positive men and their construction of masculinity in southwest Nigeria. Methods Using purposive sampling, 17 heterosexual HIV positive men were recruited through community based organization to participate in two hours focus group discussions or 45 min in-depth interviews that were audio-recorded. Without using the word stigma, discussions and interviews were guided by four questions that explored participants’ experiences of living with HIV/AIDS. Interviews and discussions were conducted in three languages: English, Yoruba and Pidgin English. Thematic data analysis approach was in coding transcribed data, while social constructivist thinking guided data analysis. Results Participants ranged in age from 30 to 57 years old, and all were receiving antiretroviral therapy. Findings indicated that participants’ experiences of stigma might be moderated by the social context surrounding their HIV diagnosis, and whether they have met the socio-cultural construction of masculinity. Participants whose diagnosis were preceded by immediate family members’ diagnosis were less likely to report experiencing HIV stigma and more likely to report “not feeling less than a man” and educating others about HIV/AIDS. Contrarily, participants whose diagnosis was preceded by their own sickness were more likely to report isolation, sigma and feeling of being less than a man. All participants reported limiting their sexual intimacy, and those with children reported adjusting how they performed their role as fathers. Conclusions Social context surrounding HIV diagnosis impact how heterosexual HIV positive men experience HIV related stigma and how they perceive themselves as men, which may influence their care seeking behaviors. These findings have implications for HIV programs geared towards African heterosexual men in general and HIV positive men in particular

A Culture-Centered Community-Grounded Approach to Disseminating Health Information among African Americans

10.1080/10410236.2018.1455626Health Communication34101075-108

Narratives of Stress in Health Meanings of African Americans in Lake County, Indiana

10.1080/10410236.2016.1204583Health Communication32101241-125