Community co-design of research intervention materials to reduce cervical cancer disparities in Appalachia

Abstract

Objective

The purpose was to highlight the co-design process of intervention materials as part of a multi-site research collaborative designed to address the burden of cervical cancer incidence and mortality in the Appalachian region.

Methods

Program documentation and research staff interviews were used to detail the six-step co-design process along with the eight-step community feedback loop used to develop intervention materials.

Results

Feedback was received via key informant interviews and focus groups from healthcare providers (n = 27), community members (n = 164), and Community Advisory Board members (n = 8) for a total of 172 individuals engaged in the co-design process. Staff received 179 unique pieces of community feedback on intervention materials (n = 14) which were divided between the coding categories of wording (32 %), visual (36 %), and content (31 %).

Conclusion

Findings suggest that community co-design can be effectively integrated within a large, multi-state research collaborative to ensure intervention materials are reflective of the populations they are intended to reach.

Innovation

A practical approach to co-design is described which can be adapted by other large, multi-site research studies. The types of community feedback that researchers can expect during this process are elucidated.