Citizen science (the active engagement of the public in scientific research tasks) promotes and facilitates community engagement throughout the research process, which helps promote health equity and increase community relevancy of research. In "A citizen science approach to develop a digital intervention to reduce HIV stigma and promote HIV self-testing among adolescents and young adults: a mixed methods analysis from Kazakhstan," researchers used online crowdsourcing among adolescents and young adults (AYA) in Kazakhstan in the development of digital messaging designed to reduce HIV stigma and promote HIV testing. The 96 submissions they received from 77 AYA across Kazakhstan showed high feasibility and acceptability of crowdsourcing among this population. AYA reported a desire to improve society and help youth as a primary motivation for participating in the project.
First author Alissa Davis said, "High engagement among youth in Kazakhstan in developing an HIV stigma reduction intervention lends support for the use of citizen science approaches in addressing the increasingly complex health and social challenges facing communities today. We received some very innovative entries from adolescents and young adults, highlighting the power and benefit that comes from engaging communities in research."
