Advocating for Health: Using Photovoice in rural Honduras to increase understanding of barriers to health and community empowerment

Access to adequate health services is a major issue throughout Honduras. Particularly in rural areas where medical clinics may be scarce, community members often lack preventative resources for optimal health. Photovoice methodology guided the completion of the Santa Cruz de Yojoa Photovoice project. The aim of the project was to collect data on perceived health care needs in rural Santa Cruz de Yojoa, Honduras. Community members from the municipality and the surrounding areas attended weekly sessions in which they were instructed in photographic techniques, learned community advocacy strategies, and wrote about relevant health issues. At the project's conclusion, the participants had prioritized photos in five key areas: lack of infrastructure; lack of specialized medical personnel; lack of security; lack of health education; and lack of medications. Using their photos, participants engaged with local community members and media sources to discuss the key health areas of concern. The project resulted in an increased dialogue of relevant health issues, enhancement of individual participant self-efficacy and advocacy skills, and collection of useful data for informing future health interventions.