Hands-on-ground in a new country: a community-based participatory evaluation with immigrant communities in southern Alberta

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Larouche-hands-on-ground.pdf(3.25 MB)
Date
2023
Authors
Charles-Rodriguez, Ulises
Aborawi, Aiat
Khatiwada, Kamal
Shahi, Ashmita
Koso, Silvia
Prociw, Savanna
Sanford, Christa
Larouche, Richard
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sage
Abstract
Immigrants experience a high risk of mental health deterioration following settlement in Canada. Immigrant communities benefit from health-promoting interventions that stimulate social inclusion and belonging as protective factors. In this context, community gardens have been recognized as interventions that promote healthy behaviours, place attachment and belonging. This article summarizes our experience conducting a community-based participatory evaluation (CBPE), engaging community stakeholders in planning, implementing and evaluating a community garden for immigrants. We conducted a CBPE to provide relevant and timely feedback to inform programme adaptation and development. Participants, interpreters and organizers were engaged through surveys, focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Participants expressed a range of motivations, benefits, challenges and recommendations. The garden was a place that fostered learning and promoted healthy behaviours, including physical activity and socialization. However, there were challenges in organization and communication with participants. Findings were used to adapt the activities to immigrants’ needs and expand the programming of collaborating organizations. Stakeholder engagement facilitated capacity building and direct use of findings. This approach may catalyse sustainable community action with immigrant communities.
Description
Open access article. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license (CC BY 4.0 DEED) applies
Keywords
Immigrants , Refugees , Health promotion , Community gardens , Participatory evaluation , Community-based research , Participatory research
Citation
Charles-Rodriguez, U., Aborawi, A., Khatiwada, K., Shahi, A., Koso, S., Prociw, S., Sanford, C., & Larouche, R. (2023). Hands-on-ground in a new country: A community-based participatory evaluation with immigrant communities in southern Alberta. Global Health Promotion, 30(4), 25-34. https://doi.org/10.1177/17579759231176293
URI
https://hdl.handle.net/10133/6803
Collections
Larouche, Richard