Photovoice and House Meetings Within Participatory Action Research

Participatory action research (PAR) is an epistemology where community members and researchers collaborate to (a) determine the problem to be researched, (b) collect data, (c) analyze data, (d) come to a conclusion, (e) determine an intervention, (f) implement the intervention, and (g) evaluate the intervention (Fals Borda, 1987). We refer to PAR as an epistemology rather than as a method because most PAR theorists view it as a way for those typically situated outside of science to insert their lived experiences and perspectives into the process of knowledge construction (Fals Borda, 1987). Specifically, PAR allows for the democratization of knowledge production by engaging multiple constituents. Through this PAR process, problem definitions shift, thus posing meaningful implications for community-based interventions and social action that focuses on addressing community members’ needs. Indeed, some argue that PAR is an epistemology that is intimately connected to empowerment and social change (Fals Borda, 1987). We begin our chapter by discussing the two methods within the PAR process, specifically, how photovoice and house meetings work as tools toward social action and empowerment. We highlight some of the relevant literature where these tools have been used. For each method we discuss the steps involved in the process, as well as the benefits and challenges of each. Next, we provide reflections from two of our participant-researchers, who are also coauthors. We end the chapter with implications for community-based PAR and consider how photovoice and house meetings work as tools toward critical consciousness, empowerment, and social action

Images for change: community development, community arts and photography

This article explores how community development objectives can be achieved through critical photographic practice. It summarizes the literature relating to community arts practice and its potential for social regeneration. Photography is then located within this context and explored as a critical practice, with particular attention being given to photo-elicitation, photo-novella and photovoice methods. The literature is discussed and analysed to explore how far critical photographic practice can meet the objectives of community development

Factors Influencing Self-care Behaviors of African Americans with Heart Failure: A Photovoice Project

Objectives The purpose of this study was to understand the influences of heart failure (HF) self-care among low income, African Americans. Background Compared to all other racial groups, African Americans have the highest risk of developing HF, coupled with high mortality and morbidity rates. Methods Using the photovoice method, participants related important lifestyle factors through photography. The participants and researcher met for reflection and discussion 2 h per week for six weeks. Results Four themes emerged: family support gives me the push I need, social interaction lifts me up, improving my mind to lift depression can improve my heart, and it is important but challenging to follow the HF diet. Conclusion The findings from this study may assist policy makers, health care professionals, patients, and support systems in understanding the complexity of engaging in HF self-care. This understanding may lead to the development of appropriate patient-centered assessments and interventions

Children's representations of sources of safety in a high violence community

Includes abstract.South African youth are at risk for injury and victimisation and those living in high violence contexts are particularly vulnerable to physical threats. Insight into how children keep themselves safe has immense practical relevance, however little has been documented regarding children's perceived sources of safety. Using the methodology of Photovoice, ten children were recruited from a high violence community to take photographs of "things", "people" and "places" that made them feel safe. Interviews were then conducted with the children about their photographs. Using thematic analysis, photographs were first categorised to identify which sources of safety were most commonly represented by participants. Thereafter, the narratives of participants' photographs were analysed to develop an understanding of how and why these sources of safety were salient. In the analysis of the photographs, public spaces were more frequently represented as safe than private ones. Other children were more frequently identified as sources of safety than adults and there was a prominent concern with physical barriers and home security mechanisms. The analysis of participants' narratives revealed that the above places, people and items afford safety by providing (1) physical security (2) interpersonal connectedness (3) spiritual connectedness; and (4) the improvement of social conditions through the development of infrastructure. These findings are considered in relation to existing literature and recommendations for child safety promotion strategies and for future research are offered

Identifying the Health Needs of the East North Philadelphia Latino Youth via PhotoVoice

Introduction: The East North Philadelphia community contains the city’s largest Latino population, most of whom are of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent. This community in particular has unique health needs compared to the rest of the city of Philadelphia, with rates of diabetes (22.9%), asthma (28.6%), and poverty (45.5%) exceeding the national and city averages. Documenting the perceived needs of the children living here regarding their built environment will provide insight into the problems onto which the community at large needs to focus. This study aims to determine the priority needs of the community and to empower the youth to engage with and advocate for their community through photography. Methods: “PhotoVoice” projects were completed with adolescent Latino community members throughout 5 zip codes to survey the self-identified needs of the community regarding their collective health. Interviewers asked participants “what about [their] community helps or hurts their health?”, and the responses were transcribed and coded by multiple researchers to insure inter-rater reliability. Results: A thematic analysis was completed by both participants and researchers, which resulted in a list of top needs, most notably “Mental Health”, “Trauma, Safety and Violence”, “Built Environment”, and “Health Education and Health Behavior”. Conclusion: This data will be used in future advocacy work to help alleviate the burdens described by the East North Philadelphia Latino youth community

Perceptions of Youth on Health, Nutrition, and Well-Being in their Local Community: The Somersworth Photovoice Project

What I learned from years of working with low-income, at-risk youth, is that each has a big voice and a lot of ideas that they are eager to share. Because virtually everyone can learn to use a camera, photography is an accessible way for young people to express themselves. This is what made Photovoice such an ideal method to collect data at the Somersworth Youth Safe Haven, an after school program for at-risk youth living in low-income housing. Four middle and high school students from the Safe Haven agreed to share their perspectives on how the community environment impacts their health by photographing aspects of their communities, homes, and schools. Then, the children shared, discussed, and wrote captions for their favorite photographs. The overall objective of the study was to develop a better understanding of the relationship between the environment and nutritional health status of low-income youth by exploring the man-made elements of the environment

Latina Adolescents\u27 Perspectives on Relationships

Objective: To explore adolescent Latinas’perspectives on relationships and generate knowledge to inform interventions. Setting: Seven Latina adolescents participated. Design: This qualitative study was guided by principles of community-based participatory research and utilized the photovoice method. Method: Participants took photos depicting elements of relationships and participated in guided discussions. They identified and named five elements of healthy relationships. Results: The five elements included commitment, communication, faith, amigos y amores (friends and lovers) and play. These elements occur across all forms of relationships. Conclusion: The results revealed important information that may be used to tailor health promotion interventions for Latina/o youth

Planting Seeds of Change: Strategies for Engaging Asian Pacific Americans in Healthy Eating and Active Living Initiatives

This 23-page report draws on results from an innovative technique called Photovoice involving 28 community members, community-level data of 308 surveys, as well as extensive input from key stakeholders. Planting Seeds of Change highlights the complexity of engaging Asian Pacific Americans (APAs) in healthy eating and active living efforts. It discusses the opportunities and challenges of a community who has a long agrarian history and ties to the food system. It also discusses issues that come with living as an immigrant and resident in a large metropolitan area. The development of community gardens for Asian Pacific Americans was prioritized as a strategy for addressing access to healthy food, physical activity, and public open spaces.Policy recommendations call for increasing initiatives, funding, and trainings that (1) support and integrate cultural competency into community gardens' outreach, planning, and growing, (2) utilize stewardship programs to increase creation of community gardens, and (3) promote community gardens as a model for leadership development programs. Practice recommendations call for incorporating best practices that community gardens can use to increase participation of APAs in healthy food and active living initiatives, such as site assessments, intensive planning sessions with community, workshops on traditional methods and local sustainability, multi-sectoral collaboration, and creation of sustainability plans

What is …?: a research ethics jeopardy" game to help community partners understand human subjects protections and their importance.

Although community partners in participatory research need to understand basic principles of research ethics and human subjects protections, few tools have been designed with these partners in mind. To assist in this process, and help engage youth community partners in learning this critical material, a game was developed based on the popular television program Jeopardy(TM). Piloted with a group of 18 Mexican- American adolescents as part of a broader community-based participatory research(CBPR) project, the game begins with small group study of infamous cases of research ethics violations (eg. the Tuskegee Syphilis Study) and of the human subjects protections that resulted. The participants then play the Jeopardy game in teams, responding to “What is . . . ?” questions concerning the five infamous research studies and corresponding human subjects protections. Although observational findings revealed substantial learning and active engagement in the process, as well as strong retention of the material several months later, the tool requires further evaluation. Based on this pilot experience, however, we believe the Research Ethics Jeopardy™ Game offers promise in helping youth and other community partners in CBPR master critical information about human subjects protections and their importance in an accessible and lively manner

Introducing visual participatory methods to develop local knowledge on HIV in rural South Africa

The authors would also like to acknowledge the field staff at the MRC/Wits Agincourt unit, particularly Ms Rirhandzu Debs and Dr Kerstin Edin from the Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Umeå University, who facilitated data collection and made important contributions to the fieldwork.Peer reviewedPublisher PD