241362 Moving from snapshot to civic action: Disseminating photovoice results to the community

Monday, October 31, 2011

Darcy A. Freedman, PhD , College of Social Work, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Ronald Pitner, PhD , College of Social Work, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Meredith Powers, MSW , College of Social Work, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Brittney Hunter , Gonzales Gardens Community, Columbia, SC
Keyona Hagler , Gonzales Gardens Community, Columbia, SC
Photovoice is a participatory research approach that combines photography and critical discussion as a means for empowering participants to guide data collection and analysis efforts; the results are intended to inform social action. Clear methods have been developed for engaging participants in the photovoice process; however, very little research has detailed methods for engaging non-photovoice participants (e.g., other stakeholders) in dissemination efforts. This presentation will describe several methods used to disseminate the results of a photovoice project conducted by 18 adult and youth public housing residents. This project focused specifically on residents' perceptions of their neighborhood environment. We will elaborate on one dissemination effort: a public museum exhibition that featured 76 of the participants' photos, titles, and captions. An evaluation strategy, “LENS”, was developed to encourage non-photovoice participants to critically reflect on the messages and meanings conveyed through photovoice artwork. Content analysis of responses from 200 observers of the public museum exhibition featuring the photovoice artwork will be presented. Results reveal that the LENS approach facilitated critical engagement between non-participants and the photovoice artists, challenged dominant paradigms about public housing communities, and informed ideas for intervention strategies for creating healthy community environments.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Advocacy for health and health education
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe methods for disseminating photovoice results to diverse audiences. 2. Identify methods for engaging non-photovoice participants in the critical analysis of photovoice artwork. 3. Name the steps involved in the “LENS” evaluation process.

Keywords: Photovoice, Evaluation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I developed the study protocol, facilitated the photovoice sessions, and designed the LENS evaluation tool. I conducted the analysis in collaboration with the co-presenters.
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.