Adaptation of PhotoVoice methodology to promote policy dialog among street-based drug users in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Abstract

Background Like other epidemics, the current heroin epidemic in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic is a largely invisible and devastating social problem linked to numerous structural and social determinants of health.

Methods In this article, we connect a community-based participatory research methodology – “PhotoVoice” – with the theoretical orientation of critical medical anthropology to identify local interpretations of complex social and structural factors that are most salient to the well-being of local Dominican populations affected by drug addiction.

Results Specifically, we describe Proyecto Lentes (Lens Project), a PhotoVoice initiative launched in 2014, which brought together active drug users to visually unveil and critically analyze the micro- and macro-factors shaping the marginalized and stigmatized drug addiction epidemic in Santo Domingo.

Conclusions While the synthesis of PhotoVoice and critical medical anthropology provides a powerful political analysis tool, this fusion is particularly apt in its ability to capture the “invisible voices” of marginalized communities, potentially contributing to future policy reform and social empowerment.

Keywords:

• PhotoVoice
• critical medical anthropology
• injecting drug users
• drug policy reform
• Dominican Republic

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the following members of the ‘Familia FotoVoz’: Amancio Vidal Agramonte, Ruby Cornielle, Isidro Guzmán, Leika Rondón Lara, Carlos Martínez, Mabel Mercedes Mejía, Álvaro Vásquez, Albarelis Caraballo Mota and Sherlo Otniel Canela. We thank Federico Mercado, Director of Fundoreda, for his support.