327 Enhancing public health research in LMICs: an innovative course integrating CBPR and HCD for child injury prevention

<h3>Background</h3> Child injuries constitute a significant public health crisis, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Traditional public health research methods often fall short in addressing complex health issues like child injuries due to a lack of community engagement and multidisciplinary approaches. Following the completion of a mixed methods study in Jinja focused on child injury prevention, an innovative course was developed in collaboration with local engineers. This initiative, which integrated Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) and Human-Centred Design (HCD), was designed to enhance researchers’ abilities to blend public health approaches with engineering insights. <h3>Objective</h3> We outline the process by which this course was co-developed and delivered by a multidisciplinary team, emphasizing its unique contribution to public health research and the critical need for embracing diverse methodologies. <h3>Programme Description</h3> This course elucidated the synergistic potential of CBPR and HCD through a series of blended didactic and hands-on sessions over three days. Students were taught the basic principles of CBPR and HCD, the theories behind their development and use, and how to integrate the two approaches using a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods. <h3>Outcomes and Learnings</h3> Course evaluation through both knowledge assessments and feedback forms demonstrated an improvement in participants’ understanding of CBPR and HCD. It significantly boosted their practical skills, particularly in applying mixed methods research in public health scenarios. Participants showcased improved competence in designing and executing community-centric projects, reflecting the course’s effectiveness in bridging theoretical concepts with real-world applications. <h3>Implications</h3> This course underscores a pivotal shift in public health education, advocating for a multidisciplinary approach, especially in LMICs. It illustrates the potential of integrating diverse research methodologies from fields outside of public health to create more dynamic, effective interventions. The course stands as a testament to the necessity of adopting a broader, more inclusive approach in public health research and practice, aiming to address complex health challenges more comprehensively. <h3>Conclusions</h3> The amalgamation of CBPR’s community-driven focus and HCD’s user-centric, iterative methods offers a novel, robust model for public health research and interventions in LMICs. It paves the way for more innovative, sustainable solutions in addressing public health challenges.