Community participation in health and development.
BACKGROUND
This paper critically appraises the importance of community participation in health and development and the methods of involving them. It also emphasizes the role of every stakeholder in health and development.


METHODS
These involved the review of some literature on this subject and examination of issues arising from the review.


RESULTS
Community participation in health offers various advantages in health care and development among which are helping communities to develop problem solving skills, making them to take responsibility for their health and welfare, ensuring that the need and problems of the community are adequately addressed, ensuring that the strategies and methods used are culturally and socially appropriate or acceptable and finally it enhances sustainability. It is the responsibility of the government at various level, non-governmental organizations, international health agencies and health care programme planners and providers to help the community to organize themselves and be involved in their health care and development. Them should be well established or institutionalized framework of making sure that people are consulted, persuaded, and given responsibility in decision making under technical and professional guidance of health care professionals.


CONCLUSIONS
Plans must not be imposed or policies formulated without involving the community in all matters concerning health and development.
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Department Of Community Health, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
D018672:Community Health Planning; D003256:Community Participation; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors