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Objective: To explore the use of photovoice as a research methodology to identify and explore community health and disability priorities. Methods: Published studies (n=31) that applied photovoice as a research methodology to promote and enhance individual and community change were identified and reviewed. Results: Findings are explored and organized by community concerns and priorities; participant recruitment, training, and camera instruction; identification of photo assignment; photo assignment discussion; data analysis; outcomes; and evaluation of program and policy changes. Conclusions: Despite the limitations of the studies and/or how they are reported, findings from this review support further application of photovoice to facilitate community change.
Key words: photovoice, community- based participatory research, community health, community change, health behavior
Am J Health Behav. 2009;33(6):686-698
Many of the complex community health and disability issues that confront society in the 21st century have proven to be ill suited for traditional outside expert approaches to research which have often yielded disappointing community interventions.1-5 Research targeted at understanding and eliminating health disparities has begun to focus on alternative orientations to inquiry, emphasizing community involvement through partnership as integral to the research process.3,6-8
Community-based participatory research (CBPR) recognizes that an outsider can work best in partnership with lay community members and community representatives who are themselves experts. 9 Through partnership, community members and representatives work together to identify and explore health and disability disparities and identify priorities. CBPR is a process to increase the value of research and knowledge for researchers and community members, to impact community well-being.
The CBPR research process typically includes (1) identification of a research question; (2) assessment of community strengths, assets, and concerns; (3) selection of priorities or targets; (4) development of research plan and data collection methodologies; (5) implementation of research plan and data collection and analysis; (6) interpretation of study findings; (7) dissemination of study findings; (8) and application of study findings to develop action plans to enhance individual and community well-being. CBPR ensures that community members are involved throughout the research process to produce data that are authentic to community experience and action (eg, intervention) that is appropriate and has meaning. Partnership creates bridges between communities and researchers, incorporates knowledge and action based upon the lived experiences of community members, and ensures the collaborative development...