Power, empowerment, and critical consciousness in community collaboration: lessons from an advisory panel for an HIV awareness media campaign for women.
This study examines the interplay of power, empowerment, and critical consciousness in the dynamics of a public health community collaboration around an HIV prevention media campaign for women. Methodology included a process evaluation consisting of participant observation, focus groups, and one-on-one interviews with advisory board members. Findings suggest that attention to the dynamics of power should begin at the very earliest levels of planning collaborative health projects for women. Additionally, findings indicate that the invisibility of power and privilege affect women's participation in collaborative projects. It is recommended that intentional educational efforts be implemented to help participants in collaborative health projects for women develop the necessary skills and awareness to create an atmosphere of respect and mutuality rather than one of domination and subordination. Education for critical consciousness is suggested as one means for achieving this goal.
Champeau
Donna A
DA
Department of Public Health, Waldo Hall, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA. donna.champeau@orst.edu
Shaw
Susan M
SM
D000328:Adult; D026683:Advisory Committees; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D018672:Community Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003256:Community Participation; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009922:Oregon; D011209:Power, Psychological; D040241:Social Marketing; D014932:Women's Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*