Health Companion Project: A community-based participatory research model for health promotion in Iran

A 4-year (2008–2011) community-based participatory research was implemented in the Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad province, Iran. A steering committee was established from academics, policy makers, health officials, and representatives of health sectors. This committee selected six regions within Boyerahmad and Dena counties based on administrative divisions. Health companions consisting of stakeholders, academics, local leaders, health providers, and public representatives were established to guide the project in each region. The health companion groups were enabled by attending workshops dealing with need assessment, priority setting, and research methodology. Health companion groups adopted a Planned Approach to Community Health (PATCH) methodology including community mobilization for data collection, health priority setting, developing of a comprehensive intervention plan, and evaluation. A list of main health issues and their priorities for each region was provided. Subsequently, research topics were determined and six surveys and intervention programs were planned and implemented. After intervention most of top priority health risk factors were decreased and the preventive programs that targeted risk factors were increased significantly. This project is found to be an effective approach for building stronger partnerships between researchers and community members for the development of effective solutions for local health concerns and promote public health.