FIELD ACTIVITIES

THEHOPE team successfully conducted extensive field activities, which included various Community Engagement (CE) sessions, large-scale community awareness sessions, and strategic engagement with government officials and the education sector. Before initiating these activities, the field team participated in a thorough Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) session to seek guidance, secure necessary approvals from project officials, and carefully review the materials to be delivered during the sessions, both verbally and in writing.

The project facilitated collaborative meetings with local leaders, government representatives, and healthcare professionals to align efforts and maximize impact. Furthermore, the team organized feedback sessions with community members to assess the effectiveness of the activities and adapt strategies accordingly.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & INVOLVEMENT

Community Engagement & Involvement(CEI) refer to the active participation and commitment of individuals and groups in activities that benefit society, foster social connections, and promote collective well-being. Community engagement and involvement are essential for building resilient, thriving communities where everyone can grow and prosper!

CEI have always been important in all kinds of research-based disciplines. Community engagement plays an important role in influencing the behavior of stakeholders to implement projects in the social or public sector. It is based on the interaction with the target group of the research.

More than 30 awareness sessions in the community were conducted under THEHOPE research project.

Ethnographies

Ethnography involves studying people and cultures through direct observation, interviews, and participation to gain insights into their behaviors, beliefs, and social interactions.

During the qualitative phase, 15 ethnographic studies were conducted with traditional and spiritual healers across Peshawar. Of these, 13 were with male TSHs, while 2 were with female TSHs.

THEHOPE team spent 5-6 hours observing their methods, interactions, treatments, and procedures.

Ethnography

Ethnography is a research methodology used in social sciences, particularly in anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies. It involves Prolonged participation and observation in a natural setting, often over months or years. Researchers become deeply embedded in the culture, community, or organization being studied. Participant observation, note-taking, and recording of details about daily life, interactions, and practices. In-depth, open-ended conversations with individuals to gather more information and insights.
15 ethnographies were conducted by the field team with TSHs across Peshawar. THEHOPE team spent 2-3 days with TSHs to observe and record. During these ethnographies, their methods, techniques, and screening were observed and later analyzed by the team.