237331 Advocating for Health: Using Photovoice in rural Honduras to increase understanding of barriers to health and community empowerment

Monday, October 31, 2011

Katie Houghton, MPH , Department of Health Behavior Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI
Casey Thacker, MPH , Department of Health Behavior Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI
Melissa A. Valerio, PhD, MPH , Department of Health Behavior Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI
Milton Mendoza, MD , Yojoa International Medical Center, Santa Cruz de Yojoa, Honduras
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.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education

Learning Objectives:
Demonstrate utility of community based participatory research methods for understanding of local health concerns and increasing advocacy and empowerment in global, rural settings. Describe efficacy of photovoice methodology to collect community-based data, promote collective empowerment, and broaden community dialogue about health.

Keywords: Photovoice, Community Health Assessment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: As a graduate student in Public Health I have received training in public health methods including approaches for identification of community needs. I also have experience in the development of appropriate public health policy and educational interventions.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.