Active co-design and cultural tailoring through consultation with community stakeholders

Researchers at Western Sydney University, in collaboration with organisational partners FPNSW and the CMRC, initiated the study, as part of an ongoing program of research into CALD women’s sexual and reproductive health. After funding was obtained for the feasibility study, a meeting was held to develop and refine the research design and study population, involving the researchers, organisational partners, and key community stakeholders. This group made the decision to focus on CALD women aged 18 years and older from African or Middle Eastern backgrounds, reflecting the demographic of major CALD groups within Western Sydney, and a recognised need for cervical cancer information in these communities [55].

Following this meeting, six CALD community health workers (CHWs) were recruited through networks identified by CMRC, in order to consult with CALD women across a range of African and Middle Eastern communities. All CHWs were women who had strong relationships with their community and/or experience facilitating community health promotion activities. Each CHW organised one consultation meeting with a group of women from their community (n = 2–12 women per meeting) to inform the co-design and cultural tailoring of the forums. During the meetings, women discussed knowledge and beliefs about cervical screening in their communities, and suggestions for culturally acceptable and engaging methods for the forum delivery and evaluation. Ideas generated included inviting women to share food (i.e., lunch, BBQ), take part in an exercise program, offering attendance certificates, or incorporating education about cervical screening with language classes, or sessions on coping with stress or broader cancer screening or health information (including breast and bowel cancer, and bone health). Discussion about forum evaluation identified the need for methods that are suitable for women with low literacy and limited English, and that are time efficient. The meetings also served to build relationships and facilitate engagement with potential forum participants. Consultation participants were given a $30 (AUD) voucher to acknowledge their time contribution.