Public Health Citizen Science; Perceived Impacts on Citizen Scientists: A Case Study in a Low-Income Neighbourhood in the Netherlands
Autor: | Annemarie Wagemakers, Samira El Baouchi, Lea den Broeder, Willie Scharwächter, Michaela Schönenberger, Annemarije van de Weerd, Simone Klooster-Kwakkelstein, Mieke Schoenmakers, Jitske Weekenborg, Albertine J. Schuit, Serfanim Uysal, Lidwien Lemmens, Karin Kauw |
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Přispěvatelé: | Lectoraat Gezondheid en Omgeving, Hogeschool van Amsterdam |
Jazyk: | angličtina |
Rok vydání: | 2017 |
Předmět: |
medicine.medical_specialty
public health community disadvantaged groups residents citizen science experiences neighbourhood media_common.quotation_subject WASS 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine Political science Citizen science medicine Life Science 030212 general & internal medicine lcsh:Science Neighbourhood (mathematics) Gezondheid en Maatschappij media_common 030505 public health Multidisciplinary business.industry Public health Public relations Focus group Disadvantaged Self-confidence Health promotion Health and Society lcsh:Q Public Health community health 0305 other medical science business Social capital |
Zdroj: | Citizen Science: Theory and Practice, 2(1), 1-17. Ubiquity Press Citizen Science: Theory and Practice; Vol 2, No 1 (2017); 7 Citizen Science: Theory and Practice, 2(1) Citizen Science: Theory and Practice, Vol 2, Iss 1 (2017) Citizen Science: Theory and Practice 2 (2017) 1 Citizen Science: Theory and Practice, 2(1):89. Ubiquity Press Ltd. |
ISSN: | 2057-4991 |
Popis: | Citizen science – the active participation of lay people in research – may yield crucial local knowledge and increase research capacity. Recently, there is growing interest to understand benefits for citizen scientists themselves. We studied the perceived impacts of participation in a public health citizen science project on citizen scientists in a disadvantaged neighbourhood in the Netherlands. Local citizen scientists, characterised by low income and low educational level – many of whom were of migrant origin – were trained to interview fellow residents about health-enhancing and health-damaging neighbourhood features. Experiences of these citizen scientists were collected through focus groups and interviews and analysed using a theoretical model of potential citizen science benefits. The results show that the citizen scientists perceived participation in the project as a positive experience. They acquired a broader understanding of health and its determinants and knowledge about healthy lifestyles, and took action to change their own health behaviour. They reported improved self confidence and social skills, and expanded their network across cultural boundaries. Health was perceived as a topic that helped people with different backgrounds to relate to one another. The project also induced joint action to improve the neighbourhood’s health. We conclude that citizen science benefits participants with low educational or literacy level. Moreover, it seems to be a promising approach that can help promote health in underprivileged communities by strengthening personal skills and social capital. However, embedding projects in broader health promotion strategies and long-term engagement of citizen scientists should be pursued to accomplish this. |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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