Community Assessment Tools Replies
Module 3: Community Assessment Tools Replies
Taryn Hill Reply
Hello Taryn,
I also selected the article by Crabtree and Braun. I found the article quite detailed. The use of PhotoVoice was instrumental in the research process involving the Hawaiian community. In the study, the community was involved in the assessment of public health needs, risks and capabilities in the event of natural disasters. Being an isolated island and near the seashore, the area is at the risk of a tsunami. The research project identified various risks vulnerabilities which included the position of the community on the island which is surrounded by three seashores on each side. This creates a food supply problem as the community can only get food via air and sea shipment which takes place daily. The community participants involved in the research identified the airstrip, power supply systems, communication systems and the harbour as potential vulnerabilities. Upon collection of information, a series of recommendations were discussed including installation of a backup power generator, creation of a food reserve within the island and installation of communication and public address systems for alarm.
Breonna Jordan Reply
Hello Breonna,
The article by Crabtree and Braun on the use of Photovoice in CBPR was quite interesting. The tool was instrumental in this case due to the uniqueness of the community involved. The Hawaiian community involved in the project was isolated geographically and involved a community of about 1000 people. The method is usually used in research processes involving people with limited power due to culture, race, language barrier, poverty or class. In this case, the community was isolated and cold therefore engage in the project to improve their social welfare. The project involved taking pictures on the community’s needs as well as vulnerabilities in the event of a natural disaster. Being an island, the area is prone to tsunami as it is surrounded by seashores on three of its sides. The participants identified a total of 42 vulnerabilities which included the remoteness of the area and the risk of food shortage which identified as a major threat to the community in the event of a disaster. Generally, the use of Photovoice enabled the participant’s to capture areas that needed improvements, At the end various an action plan was created and included the installation of a backup power generator and an address system for alarm.