Part 1: A review of using photovoice as a disability research method: Implications for eliciting the experiences of persons with disabilities on the Community Based Rehabilitation programme in Namibia

BACKGROUND: Although the Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) programme in Namibia was formally adopted in 1997, the effectiveness of the programme, including the experiences of persons with disabilities on the programme, has not been assessed to date. OBJECTIVES: To explore the need for a qualitative evaluation tool for the CBR programme that can elicit the experiences of persons with disabilities. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted on the use of photovoice as a disability research method and its potential use in eliciting the experiences of persons with disabilities participating in the CBR programme. A comprehensive literature search was conducted on electronic databases as a part of the scoping review. RESULTS: Twenty-one studies were selected for review. Six studies followed the exact steps of the traditional photovoice process, and the remaining 15 studies modified the process. Seventeen studies used photovoice as the only research method, 3 combined photovoice with a qualitative method and only one study combined photovoice with a quantitative method. Seven studies had a sample size ranging from 6 to 10 participants as suggested by the traditional photovoice process. The duration of the studies ranged from 2 weeks to 2 years. Thirteen studies investigated life experiences of persons with various disabilities and 17 studies suggested that the photovoice process increases empowerment. CONCLUSION: Photovoice is a versatile research method and has the potential to be utilised in effectively eliciting the experiences of persons with disabilities on the CBR programme in Namibia.