UNIT I: HEALTH AND ILLNESS: A SOCIO-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE At the end of the unit learners will be able to: 1. Discuss health and disease as a product of social behaviour 2. Differentiate between the different healing systems and practitioners 3. Explore religious beliefs and practices related to prevention and healing in illness Ramesh kumar 1
Health Belief System Health-related attitudes, beliefs, and practices Integrate beliefs from two or all of these paradigms, but some people are firmly entrenched in one health-belief system. MAJOR HEALTH BELIEF PARADIGMS /SYSTEM Major Health Belief Paradigms /System Magico-Religious Scientitic Holistic 1. Magico- Religious Health Paradigm Supernatural forces dominate.(god) Origins of illness include sorcery, breach of a taboo, disturbance of a disease object, intrusion of a disease-causing spirit, and loss of soul. Illness is initiated by a supernatural agent with or without justification, or by a person who practices sorcery or engages the services of sorcerers. Health is a gift or reward given as a sign of God s blessing and goodwill. Health and illness belong first to the community and then to the individual, so there is a strong sense of community. For example: Christian scientists between that physical healing can be affected through prayer alone. Common among Latino, African, Caribbean, African American, and Middle Eastern groups 2
2. Holistic Paradigm Interconnectedness of mind, body & spirit Forces of nature must be kept in balance or harmony. Human life is only one aspect of nature and a part of the general order of the universe The whole person is viewed in the context of the total environment. Disease is caused by an imbalance or disharmony among the human, geophysical, and metaphysical forces of the universe. Illness is not an intruding agent, but is a natural part of life s rhythmic course. Diseases of civilization are just as much illnesses as are biomedical diseases. Health and healing reflect the quality of wholeness associated with healthy functioning and well-being. For example holistic paradigm clearly defined that T.B as the environment host interaction like poverty, mal-nutrition, overcrowding, and mycobacterium Common among Asian, North American Indian Hot and cold theory disease concept Temperament Humor (harmony) Disease (disharmony) Treatment Phlegmatic Phlegm Cold, headaches Hot baths, warm food Sanguine Blood Angina, epilepsy Blood letting Melancholic Black bile Hepatitis, ulcers Hot baths Choleric Yellow bile Stomach, jaundice Bloodletting, liquid diet Chinese Concept Yin Young Yin force in the universe represent Young force in the universe Metaphor (symbol) the female aspect of nature represent the male aspect of nature It is characterized as the negative pole encompassing(around) darkness, cold and emptiness It is characterized as the positive pole fullness, light and warmth 3
3. Scientific (Biomedical) Paradigm Life is controlled by a series of physical and biochemical processes. Cause and effect relationship (microorganisms and infection) Manipulation of theses through pharmacological and surgical interventions Principles of mechanism ( the cause of T.B is clearly defined as the invasion of mycobacterium) Principle of reductionism Disease is a breakdown of the human machine as a result of stress, internal damages, or external trauma or invasion. Health is the absence of disease. Common among most Western cultures, including the United States and Canada 4
Indigenous Health Care System /Tradition Healer / Generic Healer Indigenous is mixing a non professional system and used healing practice that learned informally. Indigenous health care system secular (opposite of religious) and sacred (purpose of religious). Types of Indigenous health care system 5
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