Part 2: The feasibility of utilising photovoice method and the World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument in evaluating the Community-Based Rehabilitation programme in Namibia: A pilot study

Abstract

BackgroundEvaluation of Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) programmes in Namibia has been primarily quantitative, focusing mainly on outputs, including numbers of persons with disabilities served, referrals made and activities implemented. Little or no evidence is available on experiences and quality of life of persons with disabilities, despite the CBR programme being operational for more than 20 years. The 2011 World Report on Disability recommended the use of appropriate tools to fill the research gap by integrating the experiences of persons with disabilities and their quality of life.ObjectivesThe overall objective of the larger cohort study is to develop a monitoring and evaluation tool that can measure and integrate the experiences of persons with disabilities and their quality of life within the context of the CBR Programme in Namibia.MethodAn adapted photovoice process was conducted with six purposively selected participants over a period of 1 month. The World Health Organization Community-Based Rehabilitation (WHO CBR) Matrix was used to identify the themes and subthemes. Participants were requested to complete the World Health Organization Quality of Life (abbreviated version) (WHOQOL-BREF) instrument at the end of the photovoice process to determine their quality of life.ResultsAdministering the WHOQOL-BREF instrument at the end of the photovoice process measured both the quality of life of persons with disabilities and at the same time indicated the convergence and divergence in the two data collection methods. The study demonstrated a stronger convergence than divergence of the two methods. A feasibility criterion was mapped for future studies.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that photovoice is a flexible method that can be used with a variety of disabilities and has the potential of being combined with the WHOQOL-BREF assessment form. A larger cohort study may consider implementing photovoice and WHOQOL-BREF on multiple study sites and be able to compare results, considering geographical and demographic variables. The feasibility of utilising each method alone and in combination offered valuable insights on future conceptual framing of CBR programme evaluation. This conceptual framing will allow CBR practitioners to appreciate how these two methods contribute to a rigorous process of CBR programme evaluation.

Motivating Diabetic and Hypertensive Patients to Engage in Regular Physical Activity: A Multi-Component Intervention Derived from the Concept of Photovoice

“…They found that photovoice provided the opportunity for elderly African Americans to share their beliefs and perspectives with regard to self-care, and this easy-to-use intervention eventually empowered vulnerable participants [9]. Another study had also tried this new approach and considered photovoice as an intervention, measuring the outcome (that is, quality of life) after the participants went through the photovoice process [24]. The finding of the current study provided additional evidence that photovoice can be extended from a research methodology to an intervention, and that this was an appropriate intervention for older adults.…”

The evolution of community-based rehabilitation (CBR) programmes: a call for mixed evaluation methodologies

“…This can be achieved through adapting the photovoice methodology in line with any disability or CBR framework, for example using the WHO CBR Matrix in data analysis. Further, Shumba and Moodley [28] as part of their study, developed posters for public photo exhibitions to share photographs and findings with the broader community and policymakers to advocate for development and changes to disability policy, legislation and programs. Utilizing photovoice as a research method will enhance the understanding of people with disabilities, enabling them to better articulate their needs.…”

“…Thus, a combination of photovoice and WHOQOL-BREF and WHOQOL-Dis assessment has the potential to give an adequate representation of the voices of persons with disabilities and their quality of life. Further, Shumba and Moodley [28], concluded that the WHOQOL-BREF and WHOQOL-Dis can be administered at the end of the photovoice process to depict the convergence and divergence of both the experiences of persons with disabilities and their quality of life regarding CBR.…”

Experiences of Persons with Disabilities and their Quality of Life in Two Namibian Villages

“…Vol. 32, No.2, 2021; doi 10.47985/dcidj.408 Photovoice Method -Data was collected and analysed utilising the modifi ed Photovoice method by Shumba and Moodley (2018c) which is illustrated in Figure 1. All individual interviews were transcribed verbatim, and the constant comparative approach (Patt on, 2002) was utilised during the data analysis.…”

“…Shumba and Moodley (2018b) also confirmed the need to explore the experiences of persons with disabilities in CBR programmes using appropriate qualitative evaluation tools. A scoping review established that Photovoice has the potential to be utilised as a qualitative evaluation tool for effectively eliciting the experiences of persons with disabilities on a CBR programme (Shumba & Moodley, 2018c).…”