The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #52345

Margaret S. Wright, RN, MSN, CS, University of California Berkeley, 2901 Lorina Street, Berkeley, CA 94705, 510-548-3514, pswak@aol.com

This presentation reviews a year long process of assessing the needs of the refugee population in a county significantly impacted by refugees. The county has a long history of receiving refugees, lately the refugee population has been shifting to include more persons from African countries of origin. The local refugee clinic desired information on how to best outreach and serve this new group. The project involved both demographic data collection through existing systems, and the development of a photovoice project. This presentation will emphasize the photovoice portion of the project. Photovoice is a qualitative method to involve people in project planning and assessments, by handing them cameras and questions to be answered with their pictures. The pictures obtained are used to start discussions among the participant photographers, and other interested parties. This allows groups that often find it hard to have a voice in planning and assessment projects to be involved in a way that emphasizes their strengths as community members. In this particular case, it allowed those who were uncomfortable with English to have a starting place for their comments, and allowed them to use their natural story-telling skills to convey their view of their new environment, and how it better and worsened their health. The author will also review some of the tips and tricks found useful during the project for involving refugees in the assessment. Also reviewed will be some of the strengths and hazards of the photovoice project when used in this type of local cross-cultural setting.

Learning Objectives:

• The assessed needs of newly arrived refugees in a refugee impacted county
• Use of qualitative methods, expressly photovoice, in involving refugees in local needs assessment.
• Tricks and tips for using photovoice in a population of refugees (or other groups with limited to non-existent English skills).

Keywords: Refugees, Assessments

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: University of California, Berkely student intern/consultant Lenzen Clinic Refugee program of Santa Clara County Valley Health Association
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: University of California Berkeley - graduate fellowship for fees, and history of GSR/GSI employment Santa Clara County Valley Health - paid consultant for the Refugee Health Program