title: Mexican-American caregivers' perceptions about asthma management: a photovoice study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to report how photovoice was used to (1) ascertain Mexican-American caregiver perspectives about asthma management, and (2) engage caregivers in dissemination.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven Mexican-American caregivers of children with asthma were recruited and given cameras to photograph what helped or hindered their ability to care for their child. Participants prioritized which images to share, discussed the images with the group, and wrote accompanying titles and captions in four photovoice sessions. Sessions were in Spanish and occurred in a community setting. Participants presented their work to peers and community members. Identified issues were subsequently categorized by investigators according to the four components of asthma care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants prioritized 32 phototexts, the majority of which (n = 20, 63%) reflected activities associated with environmental control. Caregivers highlighted asthma triggers, and suggested ways to maintain indoor air quality (IAQ) through home cleaning. The need for policies that enforce smoking bans in shared housing and public places was identified as an important strategy to improve outdoor air quality. "Education for a Partnership in Asthma Care" was represented in six (19%) phototexts. Five phototexts (16%) represented "Assessment and Monitoring". Only one phototext (3.13%) primarily represented "Medications".
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results support the need for active partnerships between caregivers and providers. Photographs can serve as the basis for reciprocal education between patient and provider, especially in the area of environmental triggers. Provider visits should include assessment, strategies and resources to maximize IAQ. Photovoice facilitates caregivers' ability to advocate for improved asthma management and health equity.
authors.affiliation: a Washington State University College of Nursing, Washington State University Puyallup Research and Extension Center , Puyallup , WA , USA .
authors.forename: Julie Marie
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Postma
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Evans-Agnew
authors.forename: Jared
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Capouya
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000517:prevention & control; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006796:Household Work; D006801:Humans; D017058:Mexican Americans; D010465:Perception; D010781:Photography; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents
keywords: Community-based participatory research; Mexican Americans; pediatrics; perception; photography