Theme: Epidemiology & Public Health Research Year: 2024
Background: People who inject drugs (PWID) are a marginalized population often underrepresented in research. Forming partnerships between researchers and community members who engage with PWID can enhance research rigor and equity. However, literature on early-stage community-research partnerships, particularly focused on PWID, is limited.
Methods: Using principles from CBPR, we established a Community Academic Partnership group (CAP) to inform the development, implementation, interpretation, and dissemination of a randomized clinical study of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment initiation for young adult PWID (YPWID). An inductive member-guided approach informed CAP membership and group structure, norms, and success indicators. All members participated in an evaluation based on the Measurement Approaches to Academic Partnership Success (MAPS) questionnaire at month 1 and month 6.
Results: CAP members met monthly for the first 6-months and bi-monthly thereafter, indefinitely.
Members represented academic institutions (n=4), CBOs (n=5) and YPWID (n=2) and held roles including research assistance, outreach, case management, and senior leadership. At month 1, an abbreviated version of the MAPS questionnaire was administered to identify member-driven priorities and dimensions of success, which included (in ranked order): valuing community knowledge, valuing opinions and experiences of individual members when working together, and involving community partners throughout the research process. By month 6, members reported high success in these areas: valuing community knowledge (78%), member opinions (89%), and involving community partners (56%). The full MAPS questionnaire at month 6 identified reciprocity as crucial for participation, with trust being the most important indicator of success.
Conclusion: During the first 6 month of an early-stage CAP, CBPR approaches were implemented for both the formation of the group and the ongoing evaluation of success in the partnership. The results of the evaluation indicate overall success in prioritizing member-driven dimensions of success and offer insight for how the partnership will continue to be successful in the future.