Although community-based participatory research (CBPR) projects continue to grow in popularity, their effectiveness in producing positive health outcomes is not well understood. Through the examination of the outcome data of such projects, the current study sought to (i) answer the research question, "what is the evidence that CBPR projects can generate intended health outcomes?" (ii) identify and assess attributes of CBPR initiatives which may be related to the production of positive health outcomes, and (iii) test the research hypothesis: the level of community participation in defining the research question combined with the level community participation in decision making positively predicts strength of intended health outcomes.
A systematic assessment of the evidence of health outcomes in CBPR initiatives was completed, covering 1,019 CBPR publications. A descriptive analysis of the research literature was performed, and an inferential analysis was executed to test the research hypothesis. In terms of the research question, results indicated that little published evidence supports CBPR's effectiveness in changing health attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors. Outcomes may be influenced by duration of project and by selection of community of interest. Results from the inferential analysis did not support the research hypothesis. No relationship was found between level of community participation in defining the research question and decision making, and the strength of health outcomes. Findings from the statistical tests were limited by the small sample size. Implications for CBPR theory, research, and practice are discussed.
