Horizontal Participatory Planning in Prostate Cancer Prevention: An Analysis of the Mississippi Prostate Cancer Project

We examined the Mississippi Prostrate Cancer Project (MPCP) using a 12-point assessment tool organized within three conceptual elements: stakeholder participation, cultural and structural relationships, and partnership synergy. A case study design involving participant observation and content analysis is adopted, and interpretive methods including frame and categorical analysis are used in data analysis. Though MPCP did not meet all the criteria specified in our conceptual framework, beneficiary participation and empowerment was intense. The MCPCP a unique case of community participation where lack of beneficiary project initiation does not diminish quality of participation or empowerment. Horizontal participatory approaches demonstrated in this project, created space for the growth of community social capital necessary for sustainable community development in disadvantaged communities, by cultivating beneficiary project leadership in the planning hierarchy.