Research

Our research builds the evidence for our unique approach.

We are also committed to supporting diverse communities to become involved in local research. Caafi Health has strong collaborations with the University of Bristol and University of West of England, as well as with the National Institute of Health Research and other research bodies.

Research to date

We have been instrumental in research contributing to public health, notably through our work on the COVID-19 Vaccine Maximising Uptake Programme. Our evidence-based strategies have been integrated into our community clinics, enhancing vaccination rates effectively.

Additionally, our collaboration with the University of Bristol has addressed services around Female Genital Mutilation in Bristol. Through focused studies, we continue to identify barriers and solutions in the health and social care sectors, underscoring our commitment to community well-being.

Community Conversations: Understanding Community Health and Research Priorities.

The Health Ambassadors felt that an important part of their role is to listen to what issues are important to communities and wanted to run a series of engagement activities to hear what communities felt they needed in relation to health and social care – what are the issues of concern in communities, what do they think is missing.

Please click here to read the full report: Community Conversation 

Supporting the Research Engagement Network

Led by grassroots organisations within our regional healthcare ecosystem, the Bristol, North, Somerset and South Gloucestershire Research Engagement Network aims to enhance the participation of racially minoritised communities in health and care research.

Uniting research bodies, Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs), and public stakeholders, and aligning with the objectives of our Integrated Care System, the Network fosters trusted community connections via Health Research Ambassadors.

The Health Research Ambassadors engage in key activities to increase local communities participation in research, through:

  • Hosting community-focused research engagement events.

  • Advocating for research involvement among under-served, racially minoritised groups.

  • Guiding researchers in conducting inclusive studies that are adaptive to community preferences.

  • Augmenting diversity in research so that findings are meaningful to all communities, not some.

  • Collaborating with our Integrated Care System networks to focus research on community priorities.

Caafi Health is the lead VCSE partner on the Research Engagement Network. Our role involves the employing the Network Coordinator, who coordinates the Network’s engagement activities and meetings. We also employ the Health Research Ambassadors, and get involved in prioritising health research requests.

What People Are Saying

“I feel the Health Ambassador job is a really valuable and needed role. The interest from the researchers has been great as I feel they are not always sure how best to connect with the communities. More work is required with the communities themselves as it takes time to build relationships and build trust. Education is required on both sides. “

I would like to see a future where it is not THEM and US but seen as a joint responsibility to help make a difference for future generations in terms of involvement in health research.”

— Samina Baig

Health Ambassador

“ Zia has been fantastic in organizing the venues and refreshments, also helping out with the facilitation of some of the discussion groups. He has checked in and kept us updated on the arrangements, which has made David’s work so much easier. The sessions went really well, and we could not have done it without him.

We are also very grateful for the positive contributions of all those who along to the focus groups. There were some very valuable insights and conversations that will really help move the work along “

— Researcher, University of Bristol.

“ I'm very grateful for the opportunity to work with the Health Research Ambassadors, and hope to do so again in future work.”

— Research Project Manager,University of Bristol.

Research Publications

Discover our latest research publications that reflect our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and evidence-based progress. Each publication represents a step forward in our mission to create lasting impact.

    1. Berrou I, Hamilton K, Cook C, Armour C, Hughes S, Hancock J, Quigg S, Hajinur H, Srivastava S, Kenward C, Ali A, Hobbs L, Milani E, Walsh N. Leaving No One Behind: Interventions and Outcomes of the COVID-19 Vaccine Maximising Uptake Programme. Vaccines (Basel). 2022 May 25;10(6):840. doi: 10.3390/vaccines10060840. PMID: 35746447; PMCID: PMC9227842. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35746447/

    2. Fisher H, Denford S, Chantler T, Audrey S, Finn A, Hajinur H, Hickman M, Mounier-Jack S, Roderick M, Tucker L, Yates J, Mohamed A. Developing films to support vaccine-hesitant, ethnically diverse parents' decision-making about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine: a codesign study. BMJ Open. 2024 Sep 12;14(9):e079539. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-079539. PMID: 39266324; PMCID: PMC11409246. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39266324/

    3. Fisher H, Denford S, Audrey S, Finn A, Hajinur H, Hickman M, Mounier-Jack S, Mohamed A, Roderick M, Tucker L, Yates J, Chantler T. Information needs of ethnically diverse, vaccine-hesitant parents during decision-making about the HPV vaccine for their adolescent child: a qualitative study. BMC Public Health. 2024 Jan 4;24(1):91. doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-17540-4. PMID: 38178083; PMCID: PMC10768213. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38178083/

    4. Khanum M, Dawson S, Dos Santos J, Hajinur H, Conefrey C, Paramasivan S. Time to look beyond (and before) journal reporting requirements: a review of ethnicity reporting in UK clinical trial results publications in three high-impact journals. Trials. 2024 Dec 20;25(1):843. doi: 10.1186/s13063-024-08596-7. PMID: 39707413; PMCID: PMC11660696. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39707413/

    5.  Pantazis, C., Carver, N., Karlsen, S. I., Mogilnicka, M., Van Bavel, H., Mohamed, A., & Hajinur, H. (2023). Care Poverty: The unmet needs of those living with Female Genital Cutting/Mutilation in the UK. University of Bristol.

    6. Khanum, M., Dawson, S., Dos Santos, J. N., Hajinur, H., Conefrey, C. M., & Paramasivan, S. (2024). Time to look beyond (and before) journal reporting requirements: a review of ethnicity reporting in UK clinical trial results publications in three high-impact journals. Trials, 25(1), Article 843. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-024-08596

    7. Helen Winter et al.

      Ethnically diverse communities and their priorities for cancer research.. JCO41, e18602-e18602(2023). DOI:10.1200/JCO.2023.41.16_suppl.e18602


    8. Health Inequalities in Inner City East Bristol: Community Strength in Challenging TimesHealth Inequalities in Inner City East Bristol: Community Strength in Challenging Times

      University of Bristol · Jun 19, 2024 Josie McLellan_report_five pages.pdf

For more information

Please get in touch by emailing us at research@caafihealth.com or calling 07516490622