Participatory Action Research in Health Promotion in the Philippines: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background and Objectives. Health promotion necessitates a multifaceted approach, focusing on individual, social, 
and environmental factors. Participatory Action Research (PAR) offers a process for community-level knowledge to 
inform these approaches, but little is known about its actual utilization. This review was conducted to explore the 
implementation and effectiveness of PAR in health promotion in the Philippine context. The specific objectives are: 
1) to systematically map and analyze the existing literature on PAR in health promotion within the Philippine context; 
2) to identify and categorize the levels of community participation in PAR initiatives; and 3) to evaluate the spheres 
of influence of health equity principles in PAR methodologies in health promotion.

Methods. A scoping review was implemented following the protocol by Mak and Thomas (2022), guided by the Health 
Equity Framework and the New Economics Foundation's Ladder of Participation, highlighting the empowerment and 
participation of communities in health research to produce relevant and sustainable outcomes. PubMed, HERDIN, 
and Google Scholar were searched to gather a comprehensive range of literature, then analyzed for themes relating 
to community engagement in health promotion through PAR.

Results. A total of 452 articles were obtained from the initial search. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 12 
articles were included for analysis. The results highlighted the importance of engaging community leaders and advocacy 
groups as entry points in engaging community members, which were seen to be more effective in collaborating with the community. PAR was able to effectively identify gaps in health systems, particularly in access to programs for vulnerable sectors. The studies also exhibited differing levels of participation of the researchers with diverse population groups. This diversity in participant engagement led to more tailored and community specific interventions, fostering social innovation and better community well-being.

Conclusion. The integration of PAR in health promotion demonstrates a robust approach to addressing health inequities, showcasing the potential for community driven research to foster equitable health outcomes. PAR enabled communities to lead and shape interventions, making them more relevant and effective. The spectrum of participatory activities reveals the diversity of PAR as a research approach, and an opportunity to develop guidelines on what constitutes PAR in the global context. This approach is crucial in developing sustainable health strategies that are responsive to the needs of diverse communities, ultimately contributing to the global discourse on community-driven health promotion and equity.