Understanding community perceptions of health and social needs in a rural Balinese village: results of a rapid participatory appraisal.

This article reviews the process and key recommendations derived from conducting a rapid participatory asset-focused health and social needs assessment in the small traditional rural village of Tulikup, Bali. The assessment aimed to develop recommendations for a community radio station based in Tulikup to promote social change and development. The health and social needs assessment utilized an asset-focused rapid participatory assessment cycle methodological framework, incorporating Annett and Rifkin's (1995) guidelines for rapid participatory appraisals (World Health Organization, Geneva), community-based action research (Sage Publications, California; Stringer, 1996) and asset-based community development. The study explored Tulikup's pre-existing assets and highlights the value of using rapid participatory appraisal techniques as a first step in involving communities in assessing needs and planning meaningful community development strategies. Data was collected over a 3-week in-country period and included interviews with key informants, informal individual and group discussions, field observations and reviews of existing secondary data sources. Triangulation using cultural interpreters, and participatory consultation processes with community members helped ensure data reliability and validity. Recent terrorist attacks in Indonesia and, most notably, Bali, have had widespread economic and social effects throughout Bali. In particular, secondary consequences of unemployment and a reduction in income have had negative impacts on population health and child labour at the village level. The findings and recommendations of the health and social needs rapid assessment have been utilized by the radio station to promote social change and development.