Shining light inside the tunnel: using photovoice as a strategy to define the needs for health promotion among families of low socioeconomic status.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

This study aimed to identify opportunities to improve the current health and social situation of low socioeconomic status (SES) families and to gain a better understanding of the main needs regarding health promotion. Low-SES families were approached to participate in a photovoice study.

Method

The study took place in the municipality of Vaals, which is located in the southernmost part of the Netherlands. A diverse group of ten people from eight different families took about 150 photographs within their community on topics they considered important for their health and quality of life. This was followed by individual interviews and a focus group interview.

Results

Four main needs were identified: meeting each other, helping each other, feeling safe and being mobile. The photographs showed that health-related themes had low priority for these families.

Conclusion

The low-SES families focused on upstream factors relating to independence, self-resilience and a sense of belonging, to help them cope with their current situation. This study represents a first step towards the development of a community approach to health promotion in low-SES families.

SUBMITTER: Prevo L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6249552 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature