1. POSTER TEMPLATE BY: www.PosterPresentations.com. A participatory approach to community WaSH mobilization and evaluation in Punjab, India: Strategies to survive community expectations after dissemination Meghan Arnold, MPH 1, James A VanDerslice, PhD 1, Sharon Talboys, MPH 1, TP Singh, MDS MPH 1 1 Division of Public Health, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah AKNOWLEDGEMENTS CONTACT INFORMATION The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance and hard work of our partners. We appreciate the assistance of interpreters and residents of the study area. Special thanks also go to staff at MBCT and students at the UofU and PGI. Meghan N. Arnold Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah 375 Chipeta Way, Suite A Salt Lake City, UT, 84108 USA Meghan.Arnold@utah.edu INPLEMENTING COMMUNITY ENGAGED RESEARCH Adverse effects from unsafe water and lack of sanitation rank among the top causes of disease and death globally. Programs have difficulty achieving project sustainability due to the complex mix of social and technical dimensions involved in WaSH programs, and also because essential elements vary between communities. PARTNERTSHIP Over the last three years the University of Utah has applied the principles of CBPR to develop a collaboration focused on WaSH. The Bassi Pathana Collaborative Community Development Project (BP-CCDP) began in 2010. COMMUNITY-BASED PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH (CBPR) CBPR is an approach that bridges the gap between science and practice, and engages the community through collaboration, equitability, co-learning, capacity building, and empowerment. CBPR is an iterative process which focuses on partner communication, resulting in increased community input. This study describes how CBPR has created a strong foundation for surprises during research in the BP-CCDP. Identify Partners Determine Priorities Build Collaboration Collect Data Analyze Data Disseminate Results Community Feedback Joint Planning Program Development Participatory process began in 2010 with site visits Meetings with potential partners to discuss approaches and needs Discussion amongst partners and community members generated a list of community concerns Water quality and sanitation were identified as priorities by voting in the 9 villages An advisory committee was established Partner meetings were held regularly for planning Community members voiced an interest in beginning an environmental assessment BP-CCDP undertook a Demographic and Health Census in all 9 villages (n=1804 households) Partners conducted community mapping, sanitary surveys (n=179), water testing for bacteria (n=178) and nitrates (n=55), and household observations Completed by joint field teams Many villagers use unprotected water sources; most have water available on-site Little household water treatment Many private wells and government supplies positive for total coliforms Latrines located close to wells High nitrates in some shallow wells Pit latrines and open field common sites for defecation Flush toilets and gray water flow through open drains to nearby ponds Results were quickly disseminated via village presentations, meetings with village leaders, and community Q&A sessions Reactions: Deep concern about water quality problems Villagers want immediate action by government or partners Time availability and funding are major issues We can maintain the confidence of villagers by explaining their data and information Many projects do not reach this stage Success of the CBPR feedback loop depends on community input Soliciting feedback builds a strong partnership that is the basis for a sustained effort Ownership of the problem transfers to the collaborative How do we respond?! University partners provide results and offer recommendations Community partners lead planning, fostering self-efficacy, joint ownership of problem solving WASH Training Curriculum Development. Train 16 community WASH promoters Identify and mark high nitrate handpumps Further sampling of wells and storage tanks Work jointly with villagers on cleaning water storage tanks Introduce a plan for household water testing Gathering info for promoting Point-of-Use Treatment Investigate contamination of government water supplies