CSUN Photovoice Project Health Sciences 531, Fall …csun.edu/sites/default/files/Spear, Suzanne -...
Transcript of CSUN Photovoice Project Health Sciences 531, Fall …csun.edu/sites/default/files/Spear, Suzanne -...
CSUN Photovoice ProjectHealth Sciences 531, Fall 2015
Background
● At the start of Fall 2015, the ‘Clear the Air’ act was implemented on CSUN’s campus.
● CSUN aligned with nearly 1,600 campuses across the nation to ban smoking.
● Smoking and the use of tobacco are now prohibited in all areas of campus.
● Campus faculty have identified a need for cessation services.
● A healthy campus environment is the goal.
CSUN
What is Photovoice?
● Photovoice is a group analysis method combining photography with grassroots social
action, and is commonly used in the fields of community development, public health, and
education (Wang & Burris, 1997).
● Photovoice encourages community members to talk about issues in their communities
and move to make a change by empowering those who may not think they have a voice.
● The goal of the CSUN Photovoice Project was to empower CSUN students to develop
strategies for promoting tobacco-free lifestyles.
CSUN
Methods● Students in the College of Engineering and Computer Science were recruited for the photovoice
project using flyers and in-class announcements.
● Undergraduate students (N=10) were trained regarding the photovoice method during 30-minute sessions. Topics covered included: an overview of the photovoice method, basic photography techniques, and the ethics of photovoice (consent, photo release forms, etc.).
● Students were given the following questions to focus their photos:
■ What is healthy to you?
■ Has the smoke and tobacco-free ban worked so far?
■ What barriers to smoking cessation for students that smoke exist?
■ How can CSUN support tobacco-free lifestyles?
CSUN
Methods● During a one hour session, participants discussed the meaning behind their photos in small groups
by using the “SHOWeD” method, which stands for:
■ What do you See here?
■ What is really Happening?
■ How does this relate to Our lives?
■ Why does this problem or strength exist?
■ What can we Do about it?
● Participants selected 2-3 photos based on the “SHOWeD” questions that best represented what they want to communicate and wrote a caption for each photo selected for the photo exhibit.
● Program planners analyzed participants’ photos and responses for themes and recommendations.
CSUN
Arbor grill is a place students come to relax, study and eat. These signs posted around the court could be
seen as a barrier because it emphasizes the not symbol and not healthy lifestyles or resources to quit.-
Alexander Head
CSUN can promote a tobacco free lifestyle by constantly improving their programs and awareness on campus.
I believe the only notification we received about the new ban was through the posted signs and through the
Sundial. A campus-wide e-mail would have been a way to inform students of the ban and how they can seek
quitting.- Alexander Head
The SRC promotes a healthy lifestyle through recreation with
other students. It promotes its services through signs and
email blasts. It has so much to offer from work-out
equipment to outdoor adventure.- Alexander Head
Overlooking the college of engineering and computer
science as a non-smoker student, seeing nothing but
positivity. Promoting a healthy and vibrant lifestyle
among engineering and computer sciences peers. -
Chanya Dudley
In this situation, the student walked right past the “no-
smoking” sign, and completely did not acknowledge it.
This picture goes to show that the campus should
advocate the non-smoking move.- Chanya Dudley
Rise
As a student it is essential
steadily strive and overcome the
difficulties one encounters. This
image is framed to represent the
feeling of determination to
surpass a phase someone is
currently facing.- Christian Sotelo
Hope
The student recreation
center (SRC) has directly
affected me for the better.
When I came to CSUN my
freshman year, I had very
little desire to adjust my
lifestyle to a healthier
alternative. The SRC was
the inspiration make a
difference in my life. This
image is composed to depict
the SRC as huge structure
that is constantly giving
back.- Christian Sotelo
Eternal
Exploring the new oasis
center was the inspiration
for this image, and it is a
place students can use as
an alternative to smoking.
The need to unwind and
enjoy the new center had
me thinking of simplicity.
This image is framed to
depict a sense of symmetry
in nature. -Christian Sotelo
Despite the new Clear-The-Air initiative, students still find not-so-secret locations to smoke.- Erin Hong
Get fit and win!
The student recreation center often incentivizes
students with cool raffles.- Erin Hong
Engineers can breathe fresh air in the Jacaranda courtyard.- Erin Hong
Brown is the new green
Recently CSUN has
implemented these drought-
tolerant landscapes. This was
at the similar time as the
smoke-free policy. Both of
these policies have affected our
lifestyles and daily living
environment. -Hamza Hamid
Behind Jacaranda
This used to be popular
smoking area. Ever
since the smoke-free
policy, there has been
a lot less smoke. I don’t
have to hold my breath
as much as I used to.
-Hamza Hamid
Bike in front of Oviatt
The front of the Oviatt
Library used to always smell
like smoke. Nowadays, I
don’t smell as much smoke.
The bike in front of the
library, next to the smoke
free sign, strikes a balance
to me for a healthy lifestyle.
-Hamza Hamid
Easy alternative.
Replacing bad habits with new or healthy options.
-John Bedikian
Being out and about.
Staying active and engaged
makes for a better/lively
community. -John Bedikian
Cigarettes harm much more than those who
use them. -John Bedikian
The student Klotz health center is a source that
is provided to students to promote better health.
It’s free, why not stop by? -Pablo Fontora
Smoking affects not only yourself, but
others around, especially those
medical conditions such as asthma.
Let’s be courteous to those around us.-
Pablo Fontora
This photo shows that smoking is still a
problem on campus and it affects the
environment. Not only is the smoke from
cigarettes affecting the environment, but
littering is also a problem. People may not
realize the bigger effects their actions could
have on the beauty of the environment.
-Samantha Mendez
I think having public exercise with exercise equipment outside encourages people to be active and enjoy the
environment. It promotes students to have healthy lifestyles. Instead of smoking when students are stressed,
they can exercise and release their stress.- Samantha Mendez
When I see a beautiful environment around me
with clean air, healthy trees, and healthy
people, I feel healthy and happy. A clean
environment gives positive energy to
everything in it. -Samantha Mendez
CSUN students have a variety of programs to
promote a healthy lifestyle. Those who smoke
can look to their CSUN planners for aiding
programs. However, these advertisements
are too small and hidden that many students
won’t be able to find them.
-Venessa Quintero
Many of the “Clear the Air” billboards
can be seen all around the CSUN
campus. There is not much impact
because students have been so
accustomed to ignoring advertisements.
These signs should be enlarged, more
appealing, and relate more to students
rather than only on the environment.
-Venessa Quintero
During a beautiful Friday afternoon, a CSUN student enjoys her novel while sitting on the grass in front of
the Oviatt Library. A wonderful way to spend your time. Reading can make you smarter and help you
become a better student, something that smoking wouldn’t do. -Victor Ruiz
A handful of CSUN students in front of the Oviatt Library enjoy passing a frisbee back and forth to each
other on a sunny day. This is a great way to stay active and to make sure you live a healthy lifestyle.
Whenever you’re bored just call up some of your friends to have some fun and enjoy the day together.
-Victor Ruiz
Even though smoking is banned on campus,
a CSUN student doesn’t seem to care and
proceeds to smoke in the open. As a regular
smoker he didn’t want to waste his time to
going off campus to fulfill his urge to smoke.
-Victor Ruiz
The Photovoice ExhibitAn exhibit was held at the University Student
Union on Nov. 23rd, 2015. A total of 29 student
pictures were displayed and approximately 35
people attended the event, including students,
faculty, the director of the Klotz student health
center, the coordinator of the smoke-free
taskforce, and the activities coordinator for CSUN
clubs and organizations. During the exhibit,
students stood beside their photos and engaged
in conversations about their photos with the
attendees.
Results- Key Themes
CSUN
Lack of promotion of healthy lifestyles and environments conducive to health - Overall, participants see the “Clear the Air” ban as a positive change, but there were concerns about the alternatives provided by CSUN to help reinforce the ban and promote healthy behaviors. “The place in front of library should be used to plan some events related to healthy living.”
Lack of promotion of smoking cessation services - Although smoking cessation services exist on campus, participants felt there is not enough promotion of these resources.
Lack of enforcement of the ban - This issue was a topic of discussion among participants. Some felt there was not enough enforcement implemented. While others thought that measures like enforcement or patrolling would cause animosity among the student community. “I’ve seen people get fined in the dismounted zone for riding their bikes. Why is there not enforcement for smoking?”
Recommendations
Implement a health education campaign related to the benefits of not smoking and healthy lifestyles-Healthy environments or activities should be promoted around campus to motivate healthy behaviors such as exercise.
Promote free smoking cessation services and resources on campus- The implementation of the “Clear the Air” ban may help smokers decide to take advantage of cessation resources on campus. Therefore, these resources need to be sufficiently promoted. Smoking cessation resources should be promoted directly on the “Clear the Air” signs around campus, on flyers, and in emails to students.
Implement an enforcement plan- Without a clearly defined and actionable enforcement component, smoke and tobacco-free policies serve little purpose. An enforcement and patrolling initiative should be discussed to prevent smoking hideouts and ensure cooperation and compliance.
CSUN
Acknowledgements
The students of HSCI 531 and Dr. Suzanne Spear would like to thank
● The CSUN students who participated in the Photovoice project. ● Dr. S.K. Ramesh, Dean, College of Engineering and Computer Science● Staff and Faculty in the College of Engineering and Computer Science● Marianne Link, Assistant Director of Health Promotion, Klotz Student Health Center● Sevag Alexanian, VP, Associated Students ● Cindy Cruz, Foreign Student Advisor, CSUN International Student Exchange Center ● Kim Homer-Vagadori, Projector Director, CA Youth Advocacy Network● CSUN American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)● Judge Julian Beck Learning-Centered Instructional Project, 2015-2016
Contact: Suzanne Spear, Ph.D. [email protected]
CSUN