A Photovoice Study of East, South, and Southeast Asian People with Endometriosis

COVID-19 Research Area(s): Culture, Epidemiology & Public Health, Healthcare Delivery & Policy, Politics, Governance & Law, Social Impacts

Endometriosis is a disease associated with pelvic pain and infertility. It affects approximately 1 million people in Canada. There is evidence that endometriosis may affect people of East, South, and Southeast Asian descent in a unique way. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has had specific consequences for these individuals due to anti-Asian racism and discrimination. The aim of this research is to better understand the experiences of East, South, and Southeast Asian people with endometriosis during the pandemic. This will be done by having people use photographs to portray their experiences of endometriosis during the pandemic and participate in individual interviews to discuss their photos.

Endometriosis affects ~1 million people in Canada. There is emerging evidence of a unique symptom and disease profile in endometriosis patients of East, South, and Southeast Asian descent. The COVID-19 pandemic has had specific implications for these patients stemming from the geopolitics of the pandemic, anti-Asian racism and discrimination, and travel restrictions. The aim of this research is to use an arts-based methodology (Photovoice) to gather the experience of East, South, and Southeast Asian people with endometriosis during the pandemic. Participants will generate photographs to depict their experiences of endometriosis during the pandemic and partake in individual in-depth interviews to discuss their photos.