From mistrust to meaningful engagement: a practical, interactive session on participatory approaches to adapting public health interventions in indigenous communities through lessons learned from Meghalaya, Northeast India
1
Indian Institue of Public Health Shillong, Shillong, India
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Implementing a new health programme or strategy comes with numerous challenges, often the health system focuses deeply on the supply side. However in the indigenous communities of northeast India, the barrier is demand 1, whether for preventative health services such as immunisation 2,3 or for interventions like institutional deliveries 4. This organised session will take a deep dive into how rural communities can be engaged in the codesign and adaptation of health programmes prior to rollout to ensure maximum utility and priority-alignment for beneficiaries.
METHODS:
Researchers from IIPH Shillong will present findings from qualitative data, participatory rural appraisal and process monitoring in three different verticals (infectious disease, non-communicable disease (NCD) and child health) conducted in the state of Meghalaya, India. This research centres on understanding community awareness of illnesses, their preventative/curative practices, their interactions with the health system and their inputs specific to the planned intervention.
RESULTS:
In the case of infectious disease, local communities were engaged to co-design risk communication strategies and seasonal protective measures for vector-borne infections such as malaria and scrub typhus. Within the NCD project, a participatory approach saw women’s groups in rural areas strategize solutions to raise awareness of tobacco-related cancers. Another project systematically involved stakeholders from state, district and village levels in providing context-specific adaptations to national guidelines for Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition in under-5 children. Results across the projects highlighted the deep vein of misinformation and distrust that runs through these rural communities. However, once the door was opened to co-creation, we found great enthusiasm to solve local issues and champion beneficial health behaviours in the community.
CONCLUSIONS:
This interactive session will provide participants with practical tools for engaging indigenous populations in discussion, motivating them to action as well as fostering a culture of listening and learning within the health system.
Implementing a new health programme or strategy comes with numerous challenges, often the health system focuses deeply on the supply side. However in the indigenous communities of northeast India, the barrier is demand 1, whether for preventative health services such as immunisation 2,3 or for interventions like institutional deliveries 4. This organised session will take a deep dive into how rural communities can be engaged in the codesign and adaptation of health programmes prior to rollout to ensure maximum utility and priority-alignment for beneficiaries.
METHODS:
Researchers from IIPH Shillong will present findings from qualitative data, participatory rural appraisal and process monitoring in three different verticals (infectious disease, non-communicable disease (NCD) and child health) conducted in the state of Meghalaya, India. This research centres on understanding community awareness of illnesses, their preventative/curative practices, their interactions with the health system and their inputs specific to the planned intervention.
RESULTS:
In the case of infectious disease, local communities were engaged to co-design risk communication strategies and seasonal protective measures for vector-borne infections such as malaria and scrub typhus. Within the NCD project, a participatory approach saw women’s groups in rural areas strategize solutions to raise awareness of tobacco-related cancers. Another project systematically involved stakeholders from state, district and village levels in providing context-specific adaptations to national guidelines for Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition in under-5 children. Results across the projects highlighted the deep vein of misinformation and distrust that runs through these rural communities. However, once the door was opened to co-creation, we found great enthusiasm to solve local issues and champion beneficial health behaviours in the community.
CONCLUSIONS:
This interactive session will provide participants with practical tools for engaging indigenous populations in discussion, motivating them to action as well as fostering a culture of listening and learning within the health system.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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