title: Exploring Creole women's health using ethnography and Photovoice in Bluefields, Nicaragua.
abstract: Bluefields, Nicaragua is the largest city in the Southern Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAS), and home to communities of Nicaragua's six ethnic groups. Photovoice research techniques were used in this ethnographic study to explore the health experiences of Creole women. After participating in focus groups to discuss women's health, 12 Creole women took photographs to describe their health experiences. The researcher then interviewed them about what each picture meant, and participants selected photos for a community-wide exhibition in Bluefields. Photos and narratives were analyzed to construct a description of the cultural context in which Creole women experienced health. One of the greatest women's health concerns reported was that participants believed the younger generation was losing touch with Creole culture, putting them at risk of disease and illness. For participants, photos were a way to document Creole traditions of healing, traditions in the Creole home, and environmental health concerns.
authors.affiliation: University of Virginia - School of Nursing, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA Emm6z@virginia.edu.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: University of Virginia - School of Nursing, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Steeves
authors.affiliation: University of Miami - School of Nursing and Health Studies, Coral Gables, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hauck Perez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000884:Anthropology, Cultural; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009527:Nicaragua; D010781:Photography; D012499:Sanitation; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000208:ethnology; D016387:Women's Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: globalization; health care; minorities; research methods; sanitation; vulnerable people