Rapid participatory appraisal (RPA) methodology for community health needs assessment

Description

The rapid participatory appraisal (RPA) methodology is a qualitative technique used to assess community health needs and promote social change and development. This resource describes the RPA methodology and offers recommendations on how to plan, conduct, implement and communicate a community health needs assessment using the RPA methodology.

Steps for Using Method/Tool

RPA is a research method used to collect information needed when formulating an action plan within a short time period and with the involvement of community members. The health information pyramid is a useful framework to guide data collection, as shown in the resource.

Below is a summary of RPA principles, steps and related methodologies, as well as the authors’ recommendations for RPA improvement and a new model to follow when using an RPA methodology.

Three RPA Principles:

1. Collect only relevant and necessary data.
2. Adjust investigations to reflect local conditions and specific situations.
3. Involve the community in both defining community needs and seeking possible solutions.

Step-By-Step Approach:

1. Data sources: key informant interviews, field observations, review of existing written documentation.
2. Data collection time period: 1 to 2 weeks.
3. Analysis: qualitative inquiry with triangulation of results in terms of dominant themes, interrelationships and existence of any inconsistencies, with data collected from one source verified by at least two other sources. Clarification of results can be done by additional data sources and collection.

Related Research Methodologies:

• Action Research (i.e., “look, think, act”)
• Asset Based Community Development (ABCD)
• Participatory Learning and Action (PLA)

Recommendations:

The authors propose 19 recommendations to improve upon the traditional RPA methodology and coin a new composite model, an Assets Focused Rapid Participatory Assessment Cycle, as outlined in the resource. Recommendations to improve the traditional RPA methodology described above include incorporating components of the ABCD and PLA methods.

Key elements added to the traditional RPA methodology fit across the following three areas: planning, data collection and communication.

Planning:

• Use a cyclical process.
• Be problem-focused and involve community leaders and stakeholders.
• Be solution-focused including considering resources and holistic perspectives to population, health, extent of relationships and community participation.

Data collection:

• Increase time for data collection and use mapping techniques.

Communication:

• Ensure regular and systematic communication, using visual aids or other.
• Provide a final report that includes intervention-based proposals for action.

Evaluation

The methodology has been shown to be valuable, reliable and cost-effective.