Initiating community engagement in an ecohealth research project in Southern Africa

Background: Community Engagement (CE) in health research ensures that research is consistent with the sociocultural, political and economic contexts where the research is conducted. The greatest challenges for researchers are the practical aspects of CE in multicentre health research. This study describes the CE in an ecohealth community-based research project focusing on two vulnerable and research naive rural communities.Methods: A qualitative, longitudinal multiple case study approach was used. Data was collected through Participatory Rural Appraisals, Focus Group Discussions, In-depth Interviews, and observations.Results: The two sites had different cultural values, research literacy levels, and political and administrative structures. The engagement process includedConclusions: We conclude that it is critical that community engagement be consistent with community values and attitudes, and considers community resources and capacity. A CE strategy fully involving the community is constrained by community research literacy levels, time and resources, but creates a conducive research environment.