New Methodologies for Global Health Research: Improving the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Survey Model Through Participatory Research in Haiti

Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) survey models are a common tool used by researchers and global health practitioners to reveal insights necessary for health program design and implementation. We explore how an interdisciplinary team of medical practitioners, researchers, designers, and community members improved the KAP survey tool in Haiti by drawing on participatory research methods. The overall objective of the project was to build a new approach to investigating and meeting community health needs and specifically the challenges faced by women with breast and cervical cancer in Haiti. The research findings were used to design an education tool kit for health care providers as well as create a community-based engagement strategy to better connect people to cancer screening and treatment facilities. By infusing the KAP survey model with participatory approaches to knowledge production, the advisory board designed a survey tool that generated more relevant and in-depth knowledge with the community while maintaining the study’s simplicity and complying with a time-limited budget