COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION BY HEALTH COMMITTEES AND MUTUAL AID GROUPS OF PACHUCA, HIDALGO, MEXICO

Aim. to describe the characteristics and operation of the different groups of community participation that exist in the 16 health centers located in the city of Pachuca, during January-December 2015. Material and Methods. 61 surveys were applied to member of different health committees and 125 surveys were applied to member of self-help groups. Results: over 90% committee´s members are women; schooling was 41% high school. 88% of the committee´s members reported that health personnel decide when and how to meet them.47% members of self-help groups reported that operation depend on health personnel. Conclusions: only if the community is involved in decision making, there is community participation. This is a way to increase the power of communities (empowerment) where democratic decision making is strengthened; this inspires pride and facilitates a genuine participation in the development process. Otherwise the results in community participation will not be entirely positive.