The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48280

Laura S. Lorenz, MEd, Management Sciences for Health, 165 Allandale Road, Boston, MA 02130, 617-524-7799, llorenz@msh.org

The presenter implemented a Photovoice project in Mdantsane, the second largest township in South Africa, in two phases over five weeks. Phase I was a three-day Photovoice Leadership training for four Youth Academy leaders; Phase II was a four-week project resulting in an exhibit of 80 photographs and narratives by 16 township youth, nine of them HIV positive. The goals of this Photovoice project included developing qualitative data (photographs and narratives) on township resources and problems for policymakers to use in making decisions; increasing awareness of township resources and problems as seen from the perspective of youth; motivating greater participation by community residents in community issues; and promoting constructive dialog on problems, resources, and solutions among community residents of all ages. Policymakers in this context included the participants, their families, school administrators, public health workers, elected officials, and staff at donor agencies and local nongovernmental organizations. Project challenges included the busy schedules of the project leaders, suspicion by some community residents about the project goals and objectives, and the project requirement to have consent forms signed by all persons who could be recognized in exhibit photographs. The project model developed leadership skills and civic commitment among the participating youth and increased awareness at all levels of local conditions from the perspective of youth. The project increased community dialog and broke down barriers between people who are HIV positive and those who are not. The participants developed ideas of solutions and are taking action to realize them.

Learning Objectives: By the end of the session, the participant will be able to

• Articulate the goals and objectives of a Photovoice community assessment project that used photography and narrative to involve youth in community health
• Identify challenges in doing this type of project with South African township youth
• List township resources and problems identified by the participating youth
• Assess the applicability of this methodology to their work

Keywords: Photovoice, Youth

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Equity Project (funded by the US Agency for International Development) and Management Sciences for Health
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment