title: Latina youths' perceptions of children's environmental health risks in an agricultural community.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to identify Latina youths' perceptions of local assets and concerns related to children's environmental health (EH) in an agricultural community.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four photovoice sessions were used to elicit 6 promotores' and 5 middle school students' perspectives on problems and strengths related to "children; environment; and health."
  
  
  METHODS
  Data collection was diverse and included a demographic and evaluation questionnaire, photographs, audio recordings of group photo-sharing sessions, and field notes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants identified three themes that reflected group discussion during two photo-sharing sessions: a lack of structured youth activities; poverty and stress; and benefits and detriments of agricultural work. Community assets related to creating a healthy environment for youth were identified and included the clinic, churches, and youth programs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings from this study reinforce that social background and position affect how EH issues are defined and may be addressed. Participant perspectives are valuable to nurses because they offer a lens through which to see the complexities of EH from the viewpoint of those most directly affected. Leadership training and opportunities to serve on coalitions and neighborhood councils are recommended approaches to meaningfully involving youth in environmental justice initiatives.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Postma
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: Mary Jo
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ybarra Vega
authors.forename: Cristian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ramon
authors.forename: Guadalupe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cortes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000383:Agriculture; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000208:ethnology*; D004782:Environmental Health; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010781:Photography; D011203:Poverty / Q000208:ethnology; D012306:Risk; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000208:ethnology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Hispanic-American; agriculture; community-based participatory research; environmental health; photovoice