Sosyal Bilimler ve Sağlık Bülteni

Özgün Makale

No. 18 (2026)

Those Who Couldn't Stay Home: A Photovoice Study on the Pandemic Experiences of Service Sector Workers in Different Cities

Submitted
May 13, 2026
Published
2026-06-19

Abstract

The aim of this study is to reveal the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on living and working conditions through the experiences of those who continued working during the pandemic. The research was conducted using a qualitative method with photovoice design. The participants consisted of 36 individuals working in childcare/house cleaning, cargo delivery, hospital cleaning, and patient care in Aydın, Eskişehir, Istanbul, and İzmir. Data were collected through two focus group interviews with each group. Comments on the photos taken by the participants were recorded as audio with their permission, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings show that the main problems of the participants were economic vulnerability, loss of income, nutritional problems, distance education costs, physical exhaustion, risk of infection, isolation and stigma, tension in domestic relationships, and institutional injustice. Despite this, it was observed that the participants received support from solidarity and their productivity within the home. The research demonstrates that vulnerable groups should not be ignored in order to prevent further exacerbation of inequalities in society while crisis measures are being taken.

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