Multi-level community dissemination of public health research

Insights from the fuel to pot project case study in Kenya and Malawi

Bibliographic Data

ID22089775
AuthorsLimbani Kalumbi (0000-0001-9554-9802, University of Malawi), Hugh Douglas Price (0000-0001-6886-4516, University of Stirling), Heather Price (0000-0001-8777-5682, University of Stirling), Line Caes (0000-0001-7355-0706, University of Stirling), Fred Orina (0000-0003-4018-0272, Kenya Medical Research Institute), Tracy Chasima (0009-0005-0540-7023, University of Malawi), Lusizi Kambalame (University of Malawi), Moses V M Chamba (University of Malawi), Siân E Luca (0000-0003-3116-3411, University of Stirling), Siân E Lucas (University of Stirling), Hellen Meme (Kenya Medical Research Institute), Sean Semple (0000-0002-0462-7295, University of Stirling), Isabelle Uny (0000-0002-9548-5332, University of Stirling, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume14
Pages1702368-1702368
Publication date2026-05-28
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2026.1702368
PMID42293623
OpenAlexW7162688564
LanguageEN
References cited73

Household air pollution (HAP) from solid fuel use affects nearly 3.6 billion people globally, causing 3.2 million deaths annually. Despite extensive research, interventions show limited health benefits, highlighting the need for community-centered approaches that meaningfully engage affected populations in research dissemination and solution co-design. We present a community case study from the Fuel to Pot project (2020–2023), an interdisciplinary study conducted in the informal settlements of Mukuru, Kenya, and Ndirande, Malawi. Following 2 years of participatory research using walking interviews and photovoice, we implemented a cascaded, interactive dissemination model involving sequential community engagement events followed by policymaker discussions. Community dissemination events engaged diverse community members in each location through mobile poster exhibitions featuring local language translations, photovoice images, and simplified data visualizations. Interactive discussions generated contextually relevant recommendations addressing immediate community needs and systemic policy changes. Subsequent policymaker events with key stakeholders further facilitated dialog between community priorities and institutional capacity, strengthening researcher-community-policy relationships. We suggest six principles for community engagement in research dissemination (Engagement, Networks, Accessibility, Capacity strengthening, Trust, and Budgeting) that aim to transform research dissemination from a performative, extractive practice into a collaborative action. This approach enhances the sustainability of interventions, builds local capacity, and addresses ethical imperatives in global and public health research. The principles provide a replicable framework for researchers seeking to move beyond traditional academic dissemination toward more genuine community engagement and the co-creation of effective health interventions

Citizen journalism · Community engagement · Community-based participatory research · Dissemination · Information Dissemination · Participatory action research · Photovoice · Public engagement · Public health · Sustainability · Energy and Environment Impacts · Participatory Visual Research Methods · Sustainability and Climate Change Governance