Purpose: The community-based participatory research approach has been identified as a great asset in reducing health disparities through the integration of community members in all phases of the research process. It is essential to provide skills to community members to achieve successful research partnerships. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the community-based participatory research training curriculum for community members.Methods: Using mixed-methods, noncomparative design, eight workshops were developed and tested. Workshops covered topics such as community-based participatory research principles, health disparities, ethics in community-based participatory research, and fundamentals of research methodology. A total of 25 community leaders were trained. Pre-/post-test knowledge (unpaired t-test), retention rate, workshop satisfaction, and cognitive debriefing sessions were used to assess knowledge gained and acceptability and feasibility of the curriculum.Results: A retention rate of 100% and an average satisfaction of 92.68% were obtained. Preliminary effectiveness results indicate that there was an overall significant change in participant's knowledge before and after the curriculum (p<0.001). In the cognitive debriefing, participants were satisfied with the organization and structure and found the curriculum feasible. Furthermore, participants identified the skills acquired to aid in being more effective in their communities and work with academic researchers. The following changes were recommended: workshops' order, time, practical activities, and level of language.Discussion: Findings from this study suggest that the curriculum was acceptable and feasible to community leaders and that it might provide skills to actively incorporate community members in research activities. A large randomized clinical trial (RCT) study to evaluate curriculum effectiveness is recommended.

The prevalence of chronic medical conditions is associated with biological, behavioral, and social factors. In Puerto Rico (PR), events such as budget cuts to essential services in recent years have contributed to deepening health disparities. This study aimed to explore community perceptions, opinions, and beliefs about chronic health conditions in the southern region of Puerto Rico. Framed by a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach, this qualitative study developed eight focus groups (n = 59) with adults (age of 21 or older) from southern Puerto Rico, in person and remotely, during 2020 and 2021. Eight open-ended questions were used for discussions, which were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed via computer analysis. Content analysis revealed four main dimensions: knowledge, vulnerabilities, barriers, and identified resources. Relevant topics included: concerns about mental health—depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicide; individual vulnerabilities—risk behaviors, and unhealthy habits; economic factors—health access and commercialization of health. Resource identification was also explored, and participants discussed the importance of alliances between public and private sectors. These topics were addressed across all focus groups, with various recommendations. The results highlight the importance of prioritizing identified community needs, evaluating available resources, and promoting tailored-made interventions to reduce risk factors for chronic health conditions.