Health and oral health research with BAME women in Scotland

Migrant and BAME (Black and Minority Ethnic) groups are more likely to suffer from poorer health and oral health. However, they have been underrepresented in research and health promotion interventions for decades. This reinforces the importance of using participatory research to capture the realities and health needs of these groups to inform policy and interventions addressing health inequalities. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of thirty BME women in Scotland about 1. Participating in health research, 2. Health needs and research priorities, and 3. Best approaches to engage with these groups. Community-based participatory research (CBPR) was the method used in this qualitative study alongside with art approaches. Co-design workshops and semi-structured interviews with BME women were conducted and analysed using content analysis. A short comic and an infographic were produced. The results revealed that BME women participants have good understanding about health and oral health research and the importance of collaborating with it, however there are enablers and barriers for their participation that need to be tackled by researchers. In terms of health priorities, children’s oral health, and women’ mental health were identified as meaningful research topics. Participants’ views about practical tips to help researchers engage with BME groups is through an empathic and non-judgmental attitude, an effective communication that addresses the cultural needs, safe space, and time for fully understanding of the research project that allows decision making, and improvement of accessibility of research information and dissemination. The findings highlight the importance of (i) involving BME groups in research processes including planning, delivery, and evaluation, (ii) investing in building trust relationships by listening participants’ voices and acknowledging their health priorities, and (iii) a continuous multi-agency and collaborative work between university and BME communities that share experiences and perspectives in research to create a shared goal and vision.