MENTAL HEALTH, STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION
The life map project highlighted how COVID-19 safety protocols undermined recipients of care’s privacy and confidentiality. The section explores the stigma fear and discrimination that exploded during the early days of the pandemic and the impact that had on participants mental health.
MENTAL HEALTH, STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION
The life map project highlighted how COVID-19 safety protocols undermined recipients of care’s privacy and confidentiality. The section explores the stigma fear and discrimination that exploded during the early days of the pandemic and the impact that had on participants mental health.
COVID-19 AND THE IMPACT OF POOR WATER AND SANITATION
Several participants suggested we explore the impact of poor water and sanitation on the mental and physical health of participants. This section highlights how difficult it is to access clean water in both South Africa and Malawi.
COVID-19 AND THE IMPACT OF POOR WATER AND SANITATION
Several participants suggested we explore the impact of poor water and sanitation on the mental and physical health of participants. This section highlights how difficult it is to access clean water in both South Africa and Malawi.
THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON TREATMENT ACCESS
The impact of COVID-19 on access to treatment was a central focus of the project. This section documents access to treatment prior to the pandemic, during the height of the crisis and the recovery of access to services post pandemic.
THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON TREATMENT ACCESS
The impact of COVID-19 on access to treatment was a central focus of the project. This section documents access to treatment prior to the pandemic, during the height of the crisis and the recovery of access to services post pandemic.
MY COVID-19 DIARY
One of the first assignments assigned to LM participants was to document the impact of COVID-19 on the daily lives. The section highlights the rise of gender-based violence, isolation and the strange new world of travelling, working or going to school during a pandemic.
MY COVID-19 DIARY
One of the first assignments assigned to LM participants was to document the impact of COVID-19 on the daily lives. The section highlights the rise of gender-based violence, isolation and the strange new world of travelling, working or going to school during a pandemic.
THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF COVID-19
COVID-19 had devastating impact on the global economy and it directly affected the lives of project participants, most notably in the area of food security. Several participants found novel solutions to ensure access to good nutrition during the pandemic. The section highlights participants’ challenges and the solutions.
THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF COVID-19
COVID-19 had devastating impact on the global economy and it directly affected the lives of project participants, most notably in the area of food security. Several participants found novel solutions to ensure access to good nutrition during the pandemic. The section highlights participants’ challenges and the solutions.
ABOUT THE LIFE MAPS PROJECT
The Citizen Science Life Maps project is a unique form of Citizen Journalism that documents the perspectives and priorities of people living with or at risk of HIV and AIDS. Citizen Journalism is a data collection technique that involves recipients of care documenting their everyday lived experiences. This method uses qualitative approaches such as photographs and textual narratives to document real-life experiences of recipients of care through a community lens, focusing on their experiences with access to HIV treatment and care, as well as other lifestyle factors that impact their access to healthcare services.
The Citizen Science Life Maps project, spanning from 2021 to 2024, is a groundbreaking participatory qualitative longitudinal study engaging communities using digital smartphones to explore the challenges and barriers faced in accessing HIV services in South Africa and Malawi during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
This project has 39 participants; 19 in South Africa and 20 in Malawi; 27 are people living with HIV, 3 are female sex workers, 3 are men who have sex with men, 14 participants are young adults and 1 is a trans person. They all utilize HIV services in 28 health facilities,14 in Malawi and 13 in South Africa.
Data collection is conducted through a variety of approaches including text messages, voice recordings, photographs, and videos. A qualitative topic guide is used during data collection and a thematic analysis approach is used to uncover patterns and insights.
Citizen Science Life Maps project is a key component of the broader Citizen Science Community-Led Monitoring and Advocacy project that documents lived experiences and perspectives of people affected by HIV.
CITIZEN SCIENCE LIFE MAPS TECHNICAL GUIDE (AVAILABLE 2024 Q4)
The Citizen Science Life Maps technical guide is a document that highlights key processes of how to implement the life maps project for implementers around the world. This document captures step by step procedures of how the Citizen Science Life Maps project is implemented hence making it easy for implementers to use. The manual explains the key steps of the Life Maps Project, like collecting data, analyzing it, and sharing the results. It also shows how to use the collected information to make positive changes. The Life Maps Project manual is a helpful guide for people around the world who want to understand complex issues through a long term, person-centered project using photos and narratives.
The aim of the project is to understand and document lived experiences and perspectives of people affected by HIV and AIDS in order to influence positive change in the delivery of quality HIV and AIDS services.