CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Lessons learned from a community-based participatory research project developing a smoking cessation app in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas
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1
Stockholm County Council, Center for Epidemiology and Community Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
2
Stockholm County Council, Center for Epidemiology and Community Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Publication date: 2024-10-17
Tob. Prev. Cessation 2024;10(Supplement 1):A55
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Smoking disproportionately harms socioeconomically disadvantaged groups in Sweden, contributing to health inequities. Previous research suggests tailoring smoking cessation interventions and incorporating relapse prevention strategies such as social support and stress coping can be effective. Using mobile apps can provide increased access to individualized and timely cessation support. This project aims to develop and evaluate the feasibility of a digital smoking cessation tool through a collaborative, co-creative approach involving experts, healthcare providers, and representatives from the target group in disadvantaged areas. The presentation aims to share experiences and challenges related to the co-creation process between researchers, local organizations, healthcare providers, and the target group. This includes difficulties with recruitment, mismatched expectations, and navigating the dynamics between marginalized groups, the research process, and social inclusion.
Methods:
In the presentation, we discuss the co-creation process based on our experiences, supported by data and documentation from the research process. This includes recruiting "recruiters" in healthcare and local settings, establishing and maintaining a reference group, conducting interviews, and directly involving the target group in prototype development and feedback.
Results:
A fundamental insight is the inherent "object/subject" divide, where the research structure can perpetuate a distance between the target group and researchers, reinforcing a sense of detachment. This disconnect underscores the need for more inclusive; participatory research approaches that bridge the gap between academics and marginalized communities. Other key lessons learned include the importance of the reference group as an intermediary, the difficulty researchers face in building trust with the target population, and the value of involving "practitioners" with community relationships and insights.
Conclusions:
The project highlights significant challenges in co-creating meaningful health interventions with socioeconomically disadvantaged groups.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
FUNDING
Funding is not provided.