Photovoice as a teaching tool and method of action research to facilitate empowerment in students

Empowerment is an important principle for Health Education. However, there are few opportunities in which the professor provides the students the tools to apply these principle to an issue that reflect their own concerns as a student community.  Photovoice is a method that promotes participation and action. The objective was to explore the use of Photovoice as a teaching tool and methodology to facilitate community empowerment processes in students. The methodology included designing the elective course for students of the Graduate School of Public Health entitled "Photovoice": Action Research Methodology for Health Promotion. The students studied the theoretical-conceptual framework and the technical and ethical aspects of Photovoice. The course led the student to interpret and express a concern as a student community. They developed research questions, took, analysed and disseminated pictures that led to action. Participants were organized in three communities: women at the university, graduate students of public health and health education professionals. Their concerns were insecurity in the university campus, emigration and innovative strategies to prevent “dengue” (a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes). 4 exhibits were scheduled. The photographs taken by students allowed them share their concerns, reach consensus, create and implement some solutions. Currently, participants continue to monitor the implementation of the actions. The researchers plan to offer the course again and some students of the course are going to address other concerns. Other plan is to disseminate the Photovoice as a teaching tool and methodology of action research to facilitate community empowerment processes in school students.