Reflections on the use of the Photovoice method: Empowering voices of people living with chronic respiratory disease (CRD) in Malaysia

Introduction: Chronic respiratory diseases (CRD), including asthma, COPD, and lung cancer, pose significant challenges to individuals, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Malaysia. While research on CRD is expanding, methods that prioritise the voices of affected individuals remain limited. Photovoice, a participatory approach that integrates photography and storytelling, offers a novel way to capture the lived experiences of people with CRD. Objective: This study aimed to explore participants' reflections on using the Photovoice method to document and share their experiences of living with CRD in Malaysia. Methodology: Fourteen participants (seven men and seven women) with asthma, COPD, or lung cancer were recruited from primary care clinics in Klang District. After training, participants captured photographs illustrating their daily lives with CRD. One-on-one interviews were conducted using these images as prompts, and thematic analysis was used to identify key reflections on the Photovoice process. Results: Participants shared diverse reflections on the Photovoice method. While many found photography empowering, they acknowledged challenges in visually presenting abstract experiences like emotional struggles. Despite these difficulties, visual storytelling was considered to be effective in highlighting the physical, social, and environmental dimensions of living with CRD. Participants expressed a sense of empowerment and emotional catharsis in sharing their stories, noting that reflecting on their health journeys fostered greater self-awareness and resilience. Additionally, they emphasised the method’s potential to raise awareness about CRD. Suggestions for improvement included providing clearer guidance on photo themes and training opportunities for photo-exhibition. Discussion: Participants found the Photovoice approach allowed them to articulate their lived experiences uniquely, offering nuanced insights into the impact of CRD. These findings highlight the method’s potential to inform policy and interventions, empowering individuals and communities affected by CRD in Malaysia. Funding: NIHR132826. This research was funded by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) (Global Health Research Unit on Respiratory Health (RESPIRE); NIHR132826) using UK aid from the UK Government to support global health research. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the UK Government.