Adapting the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) to engage poor urban communities in Ghana: protocol for a participatory action research study

Abboah-Offei, Mary; Gyasi Darkwa, Akosua; Ayim, Andrews; Ansah-Ofei, Adelaide Maria; Dovlo, Delanyo; Awoonor‐Williams, John K; Agongo, Erasmus Emmanuel Akurugu; Agyepong, Irene Akua; Elsey, Helen

Abstract

Introduction: With rapid urbanisation in low-income and middle-income countries, health systems are struggling to meet the needs of their growing populations. Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) in Ghana have been effective in improving maternal and child health in rural areas; however, implementation in urban areas has proven challenging. This study aims to engage key stakeholders in urban communities to understand how the CHPS model can be adapted to reach poor urban communities.

Methods and analysis: A Participatory Action Research (PAR) will be used to develop an urban CHPS model with stakeholders in three selected CHPS zones: (a) Old Fadama (Yam and Onion Market community), (b) Adedenkpo and (c) Adotrom 2, representing three categories of poor urban neighbourhoods in Accra, Ghana. Two phases will be implemented: phase 1 (‘reconnaissance phase) will engage and establish PAR research groups in the selected zones, conduct focus groups and individual interviews with urban residents, households vulnerable to ill-health and CHPS staff and key stakeholders. A desk review of preceding efforts to implement CHPS will be conducted to understand what worked (or not), how and why. Findings from phase 1 will be used to inform and co-create an urban CHPS model in phase 2, where PAR groups will be involved in multiple recurrent stages (cycles) of community-based planning, observation, action and reflection to develop and refine the urban CHPS model. Data will be managed using NVivo software and coded using the domains of community engagement as a framework to understand community assets and potential for engagement.

Citation

Abboah-Offei, M., Gyasi Darkwa, A., Ayim, A., Ansah-Ofei, A. M., Dovlo, D., Awoonor‐Williams, J. K., Agongo, E. E. A., Agyepong, I. A., & Elsey, H. (2021). Adapting the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) to engage poor urban communities in Ghana: protocol for a participatory action research study. BMJ Open, 11(7), Article e049564. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049564

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 13, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jul 27, 2021
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Deposit Date: Oct 14, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 14, 2022
• Journal: BMJ Open
• Electronic ISSN: 2044-6055
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 7
• Article Number: e049564
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049564
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2927280