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. suzanne.spear@csun.edu

CSUN