Transcript Using Photovoice to Tell the Story of HIV Positive Women

Using Photovoice to Tell the Story of
HIV Positive Women
Deborah Craig
MPH 2009
The Problem
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In the U.S., HIV/AIDS used to be a gay male
disease, but now increasingly affects women
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HIV/AIDS is less and less in the news, but
there are over 50,000 new infections a year in
the U.S.
The Problem (cont’d)
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Low-income women of color disproportionately
affected by the HIV epidemic
“Social determinants”—poverty, racism, gender
inequality—affect their vulnerability
Stereotypes surround HIV positive women:
women of color, drug users, sex workers
All women are potentially vulnerable: marriage is
currently a huge risk factor
The Project
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Interviews with HIV positive women and
providers who work with them
“Photovoice” / photography project with HIV
positive women
15-minute documentary film about the struggles
and strengths of HIV positive women
Interview Findings
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Service Provider Interviews
Race / racism
 Socioeconomic status
 Gender inequality
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Interviews with HIV Positive Women
Multiple struggles (echoing provider themes)
 All women potentially at risk
 Resilience
 Desire to give back
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Photovoice Findings: Struggles
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Psychological issues:
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Physical Issues
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Depression
Isolation
Stigma
Co-morbidites
Side effects to medication
Social Issues
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Poverty, substance abuse,
homelessness, sex work
Photovoice Findings: Support
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Family
Friends
Pets
Religion/spirituality
Communities of HIV
positive women
Photovoice Findings: Dreams
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Self acceptance and care
Helping other women
Advocacy and political
activism: “I got to march
in the women’s march in
Mexico City, which was
incredible. … And I’m
now doing policy and
advocacy statewide and I
never thought I’d be
doing this.” S. Young
The Film: “One Sister at a Time”
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http://doc4health.sfsu.efolioworld.com
Forum for selfexpression for HIV
positive women
HIV/AIDS teaching tool
Means of advocating for
social transformation to
combat the upstream
causes of disease