The research study, Building and Sustaining a Community-Academic Partnership to Improve Maternal Health: Partnership Development and Assessment of Needs Related to Health Literacy, Bias, and Stigma, engaged community leaders/members, academic partners, and medical providers to become part of the research team as members of Community Advisory Board (CAB) or Community Support Advisory Team (CSAT). The CAB developed a plan for partnership development and local community capacity building processes. The CSAT informed the development of a maternal health needs assessment and action plan, and assessed the to which health literacy, bias, and stigma impact maternal and infant healthcare. Both CAB and SCAT members designed and reviewed research surveys and focus group questions. The study was approved by an academic institutional review board.

Community member surveys reported that many people avoid asking questions or discussing concerns with medical providers as they felt rushed or that they would be perceived of as difficult. Respondents reported they were treated poorly, felt pushed to accept provider suggestions, and were not encouraged to ask questions. Community members identified mental health as the greatest need before, during, and after pregnancy. Focus group members identified several needs that included easy to understand and widely available community resources; support groups before and during parenthood; and medical providers who care for their clients like family, provide clear explanations, and avoid discrimination.

Medical provider surveys reported having limited training in health literacy issues, and limited use of methods to confirm client’s understanding of issues discussed. Providers indicated the top challenges for new/current parents include transportation, access to childcare/after school programs, and employment/job skills.
Research findings were presented to the CAB, CBAT and other stakeholders along with discussions of working together to improve maternal health in the community. Researchers published study findings in the Journal of Social Work Education (2023); and presented at the Engagement Scholarship Consortium Conference in Georgia, U.S.A and the Twentieth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability in Aviero, Portugal.

The research study, An Extended Look Through Their Eyes: Continuation of Funding for the Longitudinal Photovoice Exploration of Integration, Health, and Healthcare Experiences of Congolese Refugee Women in Indiana, engaged Congolese women who took part in prior studies to share stories about ongoing integration, health, and health care experiences over the past six to seven years. The study was approved by an academic institutional review board.

Interested women participated in a PhotoVoice assessment by taking photos of home, work, and or community that made them feel happy, sad, or surprised about living in the U.S., and photos of things that positively or negatively affect their health and healthcare. Participants then met as a group to share their photos and thoughts about the images; and later took part in a one-on-one interview with researchers.
Research findings described negative aspects with challenges of limited refugee benefits, language barriers, rush to find employment, and limited capacity to learn English causing difficulties in U.S. assimilation.

Other struggles included accessing and navigating medical systems; housing issues; finding or keeping employment; discrimination; job injuries; securing citizenship, and fears of having their children taken from them. Positive aspects included social support in the community, caring neighbors, opportunities for a better life, public transportation, gratitude for their safety, and the abundance of food and clothing.

Researchers provided podium presentations at the American Public Health Association and International Studies Association Annual Convention; the World Congress for Qualitative Research Methods and Central and East European International Studies Association, and Manchester University. Researchers also had PhotoVoice exhibitions during a First Fridays event in Indianapolis and Manchester University.

The research study, Evaluation of the implementation and impact of Hip Hop Shakespeare-A Community-Engaged Performance and School-Based Workshop, was designed to develop, implement, and evaluate the impact of a Hip Hop Shakespeare community performance and school-based workshop for under-represented minority students. The study was approved by an academic institutional review board.

Researchers invited community members to attend a main stage production of Richard III performed by hip hop artists, and gathered audience for feedback. Researchers conducted interviews with schoolteachers, school administrators, and other stakeholders to maximize the workshop reach for a group of minotitized low-income 9th graders and to comply with educational guidelines. The workshop consisted of discussion, interactive activities, selected theatrical performances, and student participation.

Participants were asked to complete surveys before and afterward the workshop to evaluate the effectiveness of the workshop for increased student educational engagement. Research findings indicated that students responded favorably in expressing creativity, feeling valued, helping others, and feeling good; as well as an increase in engagement in the workshop over typical coursework.

The research team shared the study findings with the project partners who determined that the workshop was a feasible and acceptable intervention. The research team prepared a manuscript for submission to a professional journal and will explore presentation opportunities.