Module 3: CBPR Skill-Building Activity
The implementation of a participatory research project requires specific skills that are necessary for the assessment of a community and the related health issues. As a future public health professional, the success of a CBPR project requires knowledge and skills in order to implement a resourceful partnership. I took a tour of the community leisure park within my residence which is my favourite place. The recreational area is only a hundred meters from my house and can easily access it by walking or driving. The area is specifically created for local residents living within the community and includes various recreational amenities including indoor amenities such as table tennis tables, a pool table and a community gym. In addition, there are several outdoor amenities including two heated swimming pools, children play area equipped with inflatable bouncing castles, climbing frames, swings, water slides. The facilities offer children a good platform for relaxation as well as exercise as they spend happy times with peers from the community.
The area attracts a beehive of activities especially during summer and brings together a community of around a hundred residents. It offers a fabulous getaway on the weekends and summer. The sociable environment forms the heart of the community for relaxation and bonding for the local members and creating a feeling of togetherness. Its role cuts across the social connection with fellow community members to the provision of affordable social amenities. As highlighted by Putnam (2002 ), recreational sites bring the community together creating social capital o friendship and acquittances ties which help in reducing social issues such as burglaries, assaults and muggings. The massive heated swimming pool with an adequate area for sunbathing is particularly my favourite moment of limited extravagance under shared cost. Under good weather, the amenities revive the inner child in me while having fun with great neighbours. Even on bad weather, the joy of swimming in a warm pool is completely exhilarating. The shared cost including water bills, cost of electricity, cleaning and maintaining the amenities are much lower than setting up a personal swimming pool due to the high cost of electricity, gas for heating water and expenses incurred in chemicals and cleaning. It, therefore, eases the financial burden that could have been incurred in investing in a personal swimming pool.
It functions as an important meeting place for the community members It is my best place of unwinding after a week of work and the daily routines. Members can also invite their friends over for small ceremonies with a limited number of visitors. Within the larger community, the leisure park represents one of the sensitive areas due to the nature of social interactions and activities. During summer, the park is usually full of swimming pools making it a potentially critical in terms of security, hygiene, health and tensions. The community swimming pools and children playhouses are specifically sensitive areas. As with any other community facilities with no dedicated management, the pools can go for some time without cleaning. Various including insects, critters and insects end up clogging the water drainage pipes filters and pumps. The pool may pose a health hazard as a result of runoff and stormwater which washes debris into the water. In such cases, there may arise purported experts from within the community who try to fix the problems without proper equipment and training. This possesses a problem for the members in case of poor fixes such as incompetent repair of water pumps and faulty connections. As recommended by the National Electrical Code, any wired electrical connection that is exposed to dampness should be properly installed using weathered conduits that are of approved standards. This poses a danger to the community as proper safety safeguards might not be properly installed.
A CBPR project on this site could offer critical information on the needs of the community as well as risks and capabilities. A CBPR project on the safety and security of the facility is appropriate. Such a project will help in the identification of safety loopholes and rescue plans in case of accidents. The local community forms the unit of identity with members having shared interest and goals. If properly engaged the community can be instrumental in identifying gaps and areas of improvements such as on alarm systems for emergency situations. Engaging the community on a partnered public health research project can produce actionable recommendations as the members tend to know the facility quite well. Such a study will give members an opportunity to make an assessment based on personal experiences. Using a structured tool such as questionnaires, various health and safety issues such as disaster preparedness and action plans can be collectively beneficial to the community members. Due to the dynamics of community neighbourhoods, the recreational area is composed of people common social needs. The cooperation from the members of the community can be crucial in solving various issues such as those on the management of the facility.
References
Putnam, R (2000) Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of the American
Community, Touchstone Books; London