title: Through our eyes: exploring African-American men's perspective on factors affecting transition to manhood.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Premature mortality and disparities in morbidity observed in African-American men may be associated with factors in their social, economic, and built environments that may be especially influential during the transition to adulthood.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To have young, African-American men from Los Angeles County identify and prioritize factors associated with their transition to manhood using photovoice methodology and pile-sorting exercises.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative study using community-based participatory research (CBPR) and photovoice
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve African-American men, ages 16-26 years, from Los Angeles County, California.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used CBPR principles to form a community advisory board (CAB) whose members defined goals for the partnered project, developed the protocols, and participated in data collection and analysis. Participants were given digital cameras to take 50-300 photographs over three months. Pile-sorting techniques were used to facilitate participants' identification and discussion of the themes in their photos and selected photos of the group. Pile-sorts of group photographs were analyzed using multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis to systematically compare participants' themes and identify patterns of associations between sorted photographs. Sub-themes and related quotes were also elicited from the pile-sorting transcripts. The CAB and several study participants met periodically to develop dissemination strategies and design interventions informed by study findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four dominant themes emerged during analysis: 1) Struggles face during the transition to manhood, 2) Sources of social support, 3) Role of sports, and 4) Views on Los Angeles lifestyle. The project led to the formation of a young men's group and community events featuring participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CBPR and photovoice are effective methods to engage young, African-American men to identify and discuss factors affecting their transition to manhood, contextualize research findings, and participate in intervention development.
authors: American Heart Association/Pharmaceutical Roundtable-Spina Outcomes Research, Center at UCLA, 710 Westwood Plaza, C109 RNRC, Los Angeles, CA, USA. nbharmal@mednet.ucla.edu
authors: Nazleen
authors: N
authors: Bharmal
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Kennedy
authors: Loretta
authors: L
authors: Jones
authors: Charles
authors: C
authors: Lee-Johnson
authors: D'Ann
authors: D
authors: Morris
authors: Ben
authors: B
authors: Caldwell
authors: Anthony
authors: A
authors: Brown
authors: Tina
authors: T
authors: Houston
authors: Charlene
authors: C
authors: Meeks
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Vargas
authors: Idalid
authors: I
authors: Franco
authors: A Rab
authors: AR
authors: Razzak
authors: Arleen F
authors: AF
authors: Brown
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D000367:Age Factors; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research / Q000379:methods*; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000208:ethnology / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D061213:Mortality, Premature / Q000208:ethnology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014754:Violence / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000639:trends; D055815:Young Adult