In this first phase, the project team conducted a diagnostic study of environmental health conditions. A launch workshop at
the project sites formally initiated the activities of the CIMSAs and enabled the project team to obtain a participatory, in-depth diagnosis of the environmental health situation. The diagnosis involved an epidemiologic and demographic profile of the project site, key-informant interviews, focus group discussions, and a review of past studies in the region. On the basis of the project site diagnosis, community participants identified and prioritized environmental health problems.