AUTHOR=Wanje Onesmus , Koech Angela , Kinshella Mai-Lei Woo , Mwashigadi Grace , Kombo Alice , Maitha Grace , Barreh Nathan , Mistry Hiten D. , Vidler Marianne , Craik Rachel , Volvert Marie-Laure , von Dadelszen Peter , Temmerman Marleen ,  The PRECISE Network , A. Magee Laura , Akuze Joseph , Bah Abdoulie , Bah Yorro , Bakari Mwanajuma , Barratt Benjamin , Baya Christine , Baya Kelvin , Blencowe Hannah , Boene Helena , Bone Jeff , Carrilho Carla , Cartwright Judith , Craik Rachel , Craik Rachel , D’Alessandro Umberto , Dama Shilla , Diallo Brahima , F.S. Ndure Modou , Filippi Veronique , Gabbidon Gibril , Gazeley Ursula , Gibba Lawrence , Idris Yahaya , Jah Hawanatu , Juma Consolata , Konde Sharon , Kongira Fatoumata , Krishna Sanjeev , Lawn Joy , Li Jing (Larry) , Macuacua Salesio , Maculuve Sonia , Makacha Liberty , Mandomando Inacio , Martinez-Alvarez Melisa , Mendy Thomas , Mistry Hiten , Mlambo Lucilla Poston Reason , Moore Sophie , Mukhanya Moses , Musitia Peris , Mutunga Joseph , Mwadime Emily , Mwaniki Isaac , Njie Baboucarr , Noble Alison , Ochieng Marvin , Okiro Patricia , Omuse Geoffrey , Papageorghiou Aris , Pickerill Kelly , Prentice Andrew , Quimice Lazaro , Roca Anna , Russell Donna , Salisbury Tatiana , Sandhu Ash , Sesay Abdul , Sevene Esperança , Silver Matt , Suso Sambou , Tangai Antony , Tatenda Makanga Prestige , Tchavana Corssino , Touray Fatima , Tribe Rachel , Tu Domena , Vala Anifa , Volvert Marie-Laure , Whitley Guy , Yaa Irene 

TITLE=Community engagement approaches and lessons learned: a case study of the PRECISE pregnancy cohort study in Kenya

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1439150

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2025.1439150

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=Community engagement (CE) has been recommended as an important ethical consideration for health research to enhance informed consent and exchange knowledge between researchers and community members. The purpose of this paper is to describe how CE was developed and delivered for the PRECISE prospective pregnancy cohort study in Kenya. PRECISE enrolled pregnant women in antenatal care, followed them up to the postpartum period, and collected data and biological samples to enable the study of placental disorders in sub-Saharan Africa. Initially CE was aimed at informing the community about the study, establishing community-wide acceptance of the research and addressing concerns about biological sample collection to facilitate participation in the study. CE later evolved to be a platform for mutual learning aiming to deepen the community’s understanding of research principles and informed consent and providing a feedback loop to researchers. We engaged diverse stakeholders including health workers and managers, local administrators, religious and traditional leaders, older women, pregnant women, non-pregnant women and men. We utilized a variety of CE approaches and tools adapting to the specific contextual factors at the study sites. Achievements included widespread understanding of informed consent and research principles, clarification of misconceptions, and dispelling of fears regarding biological sample collection. The relationship with the community was strengthened evidenced by frequent inquiries and active participation in CE activities and the research study. For effective CE, we recommend involvement of community members in the CE team and continuous and adaptive CE throughout the study period.