Participatory research into health and related needs of residents in Efaye, New Hanover, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

This paper is a report on an assessment of health and related needs as experienced and perceived by residents in Efaye, a rural community in the New Hanover area, KwaZulu-Natal. It was carried out in association with the New Hanover Primary Health Care and Development Programme, which aims to promote healthy villages and improve primary health care in local communities. Following a three day training course the research team worked with local residents to represent and analyse issues such as perceptions of health and well-being, access to health services, why people use different health services, perceptions of health problems and priority needs for action and ideas for action plans. Planning for action and further research remain in process. This assessment represents the beginning of a planned ongoing process of participatory research and action by other rural communities in the New Hanover Health District.