Defining HIV/AIDS-related Stigma through PhotoVoice:

A Qualitative Approach

Mariam Davtyan, MPHDoctoral Candidate

University of California IrvineNovember 4th, 2015

Abstract #326004

APHA Session Number: 5054

Procedures

• PhotoVoice training session facilitated by a professional photojournalist

• Asked to reflect on stigma & take photos to capture reflections– Selected 15-20 photographs– Recorded meanings in contextual journal– Assigned captions– Discussed photos during focus group or semi-structured interview

• Questions asked during the FG and interview:– “Could you please describe the photo that you took?”– “How does this photo show your experience with HIV-stigma?”

• Discussion & interviews audio-recorded & transcribed verbatim

Data Analysis

• Transcripts & photographs analyzed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA)

• IPA concerned with lived experience & how participants make sense of them

• Focus on descriptions & interpretations • Extracting meanings of phenomena

from lives, thoughts, and ideas• Allows emergence of nuances and

intricacies in experiences• Iterative & Cyclical

Data Analysis

Read Transcripts

Review Photographs

Write Memos & Summaries

Identify Areas in Need of Clarification

Verify Interpretations

with Participants

Code Text Line by Line

Constant Comparisons

Group Codes into Broad Categories

Condense Categories

Extract Meanings

Devaluation

“Pennies are more valuable than me!”

Photograph by “SA”

Ignorance & Lack of Education

“Falsely thinking she could get HIV!”

Photograph by “RB”

Stigma & Discrimination in Healthcare Settings

“HIV-Stigma & Decay!”

“Doctors should know better!”

Photographs by “SA”

Depression

“Sad Clown: I can make everyone else happy, but I’m not happy!”

Photograph by “AC”

“Contagious!”

Fear of Dating & Intimacy

Photograph by “SD”