A photovoice empowerment intervention for women living with HIV

Abstract

Twenty-three women living with HIV participated in a photovoice-based group research study aimed at increasing their self-esteem, self-efficacy and decreasing depression. The intervention method, photovoice, was specifically chosen to put the power and authority of representing their experiences in the control of the participants. Taking action through sharing their photographs and stories with the public via community exhibits is part of the empowerment process where participants combine a sense of personal control with the ability to actively influence their environment and affect the behavior of others. There was a promising trend on the outcome measures from baseline to posttest moving in the direction expected.

Keywords:

• women
• HIV
• photovoice
• empowerment

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the financial support of a Strengthening Communities Initiative grant and the partnership of Friends For Life Corporation.