Integrating Citizen Science and a Mixed Methods Approach in a Low Resource Setting : Challenges and Lessons Learned / Ogochukwu C. Okoye.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Okoye, Ogochukwu C., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Medical care--Research--Methodology.

Medical care.

Mixed methods research.

Physical Description:

1 online resource : illustrations

Place of Publication:

London, England : SAGE Publications Ltd, 2025.

Summary:

Ambient air pollution (AAP) is the greatest environmental risk factor for noncommunicable diseases and an emerging risk factor for chronic kidney disease. Low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) have the highest burden of deaths from both air pollution and chronic kidney disease (CKD) globally, and this situation persists despite existing policies and interventions aimed at mitigating the problem. These countries also lack high-quality scientific evidence to support health interventions. Apart from needing more environmental health research in the field, the quality of such research requires to be improved by applying innovative methodological approaches.We situated a citizen science inquiry within an exploratory mixed methods study to comprehensively investigate long-term exposure to ambient air pollution (AAP) in communities near petrochemical industries in the Niger Delta. Specifically, we assessed perceived and actual air pollution health risk and whether long-term exposure to AAP increases CKD risk. We proposed that a contributory reason to the persistence of AAP and CKD in LMIC may be the preponderance of quantitative and nonparticipatory public health research, with the risk of missing out social and contextual factors underpinning the problem. Our chosen approach was to achieve a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the research problem in partnership with community members.This case study focuses on the research methodology, practicability, challenges encountered and lessons learnt. We hope to share the feasibility of innovatively combining research methods to address a complex public health problem in a low-resource setting. Readers would hopefully learn from our experience of the research process.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

1-03-621300-5

9781036213008

OCLC:

1523170923