An account of an Oxfam project with a dual aim: to find out more about how rural communities use health services and to involve communities in the research. The author evaluates the limitations as well as the advantages of participatory research methods.

Abbreviations/Glossary
Preface
Introduction
Map of Ganda Municipality
Part one: Methodology
Background
Study design and organisation
Study area, sample, and sources
Methods and tools
Analysis and interpretation
External and internal factors influencing the methodology
Influences on findings
Part Two: Findings and dicussion
History of Ganda
Social structures
Health-service providers
Sociocultural factors
Health beliefs
Health-related behaviours
Why do people make the choices they do?
Health needs
Part Three: conclusions and recommendations
Health-related behaviour and the use of health services within the sociocultural context of Ganda
Preventive health priorities of the communities and their most vulnerable members
The development of appropriate methodological tools and health-status indicators
Recommendations to Oxfam concerning programme direction and initiatives in Benguela Province
General recommendations for working in communities
Appendices
Population survey
Participatory methods and tools used
Example of a drawing used as a dicussion starter by research assistants
Causes of malnutrition-interview guide and diagram
Map of Ganda district
Health service providers in Ganda
Research-project schedule based on intermediate objectives
Notes

Laura Habgood
Laura Habgood is a medical doctor with several years experience of working in community-based health care in Southern Africa, including two years working for Oxfam GB in Angola.