141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

287679
Photovoice: Children's perspectives on road traffic safety in ten countries

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Priti Gautam, MPH , International Programs, Safe Kids Worldwide, Washington, DC
BACKGROUND - From 2008-2012, Safe Kids Worldwide implemented a community-based participatory research photojournalism project entitled, PHOTOVOICE: Children's Perspectives on Road Traffic Safety, to gain an enhanced understanding of children's walking environments in 10 low-, middle- and high- income countries.METHODS - Safe Kids organizations conducted photography training and pedestrian safety education sessions with more than 2,255 students and collected observational and behavioral surveys, discussion notes, walking maps, and pre- and post-tests through convenience sampling. Findings were used to identify high-risk areas and make appropriate environmental modifications to improve pedestrian safety through education, engineering and advocacy. RESULTS - Pedestrian safety knowledge scores increased by an average of 25% (p<0.0001) from pre- to post-tests. Behavior surveys showed that among children, most walk to and from school, most walk alone, and most feel safest while walking in areas near home. Observational surveys showed that infrastructure deficiencies were the highest-rated problem for sidewalks. Highest observed unsafe environments included sidewalks blocked by cars, trash and vendors; lack of painted crosswalks and lack of traffic signals. Permanent modifications were made to the environments where children walk in 39 communities in the US and more than 10 communities in countries based on the findings of the participatory research. CONCLUSION - The participatory research project not only increased pedestrian safety knowledge and behavior in communities but also served as an effective needs and risk assessment tool. The results also showed that the project is feasible and replicable across low-, middle- and high income countries.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Discuss best practices and lessons learned from implementing the PHOTOVOICE project in various resource settings. Explain various components of the PHOTOVOICE methodology and how to utilize the tools in various communities.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Adolescents, International

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I manage Safe Kids Worldwide international pedestrian safety program that operates in nine countries outside of the United States. I have experience and interest in global health related program planning, evaluation and research. I gave an oral presentation on this topic at the Safety 2012 World Conference in October 2012.
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.

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