PubMed Winkelman M. Culture and health: applying medical anthropology. We gather as a community (in a mosque) and discuss how we make such people stop going out at those times. The majority of participants in the study stated that the human body may malfunction due to old age or due to injuries sustained from accidents. The sample consisted of 21 participants, 11 females aged 19-61 years (Median 44 years) and 10 males aged 22-65 years (Median 52 years). This study was carried out in ado-odo/ota lga, with a sample size of 203. The characteristics of people who share a common and distinctive racial, national, religious, linguistic, or cultural heritage. The discoveries of Pasteur and Koch confirmed the germ theory of disease. 2015 Apr;24(2):213-24. doi: 10.1007/s10897-015-9823-y. Epub 2022 Apr 6. These forces also have the ability to heal one from these spells. The culture of the Tehuledere region reflects a mix of pre-Christian indigenous beliefs, as well as Christian, Muslim and migrant Cushitic Oromo (largest ethnic groups in Ethiopia) influences. In the mid-19th . For example, there are beliefs that health problems and/or an illness or death will occur if one gives false witness in front of Jamea (a group of community opinion leaders, usually Muslim clergy). 13. Ethiop J Health Dev. Most of the participants were married. Disease etiologies in non-western medical systems. For example, Lidell and his colleagues (2005) described how Sub-Saharan peoples relationship with God takes a form of nature-spirit reverence and connection which is vital to maintaining family health [26]. They speak Amharic, Ethiopias official language. Nature spirit- in Tehuledere, is the belief in qolle or quteb, wodaja, mewokel and chele spirits that is, venerating certain natural objects as sacred and the abode of spirits. Health education and care solutions found to be effective in one system may not work as well in other settings [32]; however, some of the lessons learned from this study may be applicable to other cultural contexts with similar beliefs. Social change theory was used in this paper. Theories of illness causation derive from the underlying cognitive orientation of a cultural group, and therapeutic practice usually follows the same cultural logic. 2022 Jun;46(6):1437-1438. doi: 10.1007/s00264-022-05395-0. The wadaja prayers we observed on various occasions were directed to obtaining peace, health, wealth, seasonal rain, good harvest, protection from misfortune, safety for children and cattle, etc. All qualitative data from participant observations, in-depth interviews, fieldwork, personal memos and informal conversations were organized using NVivo 10 computer software. TeleFax +91-581-2302188. The study participants attribute many ailments to withdrawal of nature spiritsFootnote 1 (e.g., qolle or quteb, wuqabi, awlia, zar and jinn) protection and wrath. Ideas about illness causation may include such ideas as breach of taboo, soul loss, germs, upset in the hot-cold balance of the body, or a weakening of the body's immune system. The connection between ill-health and lying needs further exploration for indigenous groups like this. While nationalistic disease theories explain disease in . These are the things that make up its constitution and cause its pains and health. It is often construed as a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. Familial ectrodactyly syndrome in a Nigerian child: a case report. Beattie J, Middleton J, editors. The child becomes stunted due to his inability to have a linear growth. Google Scholar. Creswell JW. Careers. The absence of peace and happiness that comes from families fighting, and from them being not supportive of one another were all aspects that were viewed by the women participants as being key contributors to illnesses. [Female, Study Community # 5]. Pre-modern era theories of Disease causation: Religions often attributed disease outbreaks or other misfortunes to divine retribution - punishment for mankind's sins. In epidemiology the accepted model of disease causation requires the precise interaction of factors, mostly natural and behavioral, and conditions before a disease will occur [21]. A more interesting finding was that they also articulated how important social relationships are in maintaining good health. Genetic counseling of the deaf. By whitelisting SlideShare on your ad-blocker, you are supporting our community of content creators. We've updated our privacy policy. Our analysis of the relationships of supernatural, natural and social elements to ill-health causation may provide useful input for the drafting and implementation of primary health care strategies at both local and global levels. Please enable it to take advantage of the complete set of features! Epub 2015 Feb 10. Bishaw M. Attitudes of modern and traditional medical practitioners toward cooperation. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science. Focus groups and interviews continued until the data in the key emerging themes were saturated (i.e., key points were repeated and no significant new information was emerging) [16, 17]. All attention was focused on microbes and their role in disease causation. New York: Oxford University press; 2012. Why Covid lab-leak theory is so disputed. This theory led to explanation of several outbreaks of cholera, plague and malaria (Mal-aria= bad air). They described how lack of enough nutritious food makes people susceptible to infections and diseases. Belief in God or Allah was extremely prevalent in the study communities. Proceedings of the First National Conference on the Revision of National Health Policy. GERM THEORY Germ theory: Microbes (germs) were found to be the cause for many known diseases. Like all research, out study has both strengths and limitations. Prev Chronic Dis. Germ theory of disease was proposed by Louis Pasteur. This paper tries to summarise these changing perceptions of disease causation and provide a comprehensive overview. Germ theory emerged in the 19th Century, but it built on two notions that had earlier incarnations. 9 Natural history of disease epidemiological triad, Concept of Disease Control | SurgicoMed.com, 2. unit no iii dynamic of disease, Community Health Nursing, Concept of disease. The current Ethiopian indigenous health strategy (the National health strategies with regard to Indigenous Solution reported in March 2015) acknowledges the need to support components of indigenous medication including recommendations to explore potential beneficial aspects [31]. California Privacy Statement, All authors read and affirmed the final version of the manuscript. Constructing evidence within the qualitative project. The authors declare that they have no competing interests. 2011; 26 (4):275-278. doi: 10.5001 . This level of familiarity would have increased the comfort participants felt sharing with the researchers. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2001. WHO. The relationship between diseases and their causes can be approached from different starting-points. Anderson R. The efficacy of ethnomedicine: research methods in trouble. In: Fox JP, Hall CE, Elveback LR, editors. The present study used a qualitative descriptive design with semi-structured interviews to gain a deeper understanding of the phenomena. Thegerm theory of diseaseis the currently acceptedscientific theoryfor manydiseases. Supernatural explanations also dominated the discourse of ill-health causation in our study. Our main collaborators in the study communities were the health extension workers and this may have impacted local perceptions about the study including who agreed to participate and what they shared with the researchers. Why Covid lab-leak theory is so disputed. commun.). Weve updated our privacy policy so that we are compliant with changing global privacy regulations and to provide you with insight into the limited ways in which we use your data. Sociobiology Theory of Cultural Analysis. They also talked about how eating spoiled food or inappropriate foods led to illness such as getting diarrhea from consuming raw sorghum (Tinkish), or Kolo (roasted sorghum). It states that microorganisms known as pathogens or "germs" can lead to disease. Therefore, the explanatory model of illness causation in this community was very similar to that of the Murdock model with one key difference: social elements need to be added to the model. These postulates enabled the germ theory of disease to achieve dominance in medicine over other theories, such as humors and miasma. Traditional health care delivery in contemporary Africa. Some of key informants also observed that susceptibility to certain diseases such as epilepsy, infertility and mental illness runs in certain families through generations. This theme does not appear in Murdocks model. Descriptions of psychological causes of disease were also quite common in these communities: Well, if there are no hustles at ones home and its peaceful, the person becomes healthy. Unable to load your collection due to an error, Unable to load your delegates due to an error. Being an archipelago consisting of 7,107 islands, the Philippines has approximately 175 ethnolinguistic groups with their own unique cultural identity and health practices. Being healthy means alemelekef [not having a spell]. Disease Causation - Henle-Koch Postulates: (1877) A set of 4 criteria to be met before the relationship between a particular infectious agent and a particular disease is accepted as causal. The narratives of health among Tehuledere communities include three major themes that explained causes of ill-health: (i) supernatural (ii) natural elements or physical causes: (iii) social elements such as mistrust, social support/family dynamics as well as violation of taboos and moral injunctions. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. BMC Public Health A Historical Survey of Social and Economic Condition in Wallo 1872-1917, 8th International conference of Ethiopian Studies, A.A. 1984; p. 1. 1983. p. 155. Health is primarily that state in which these constituent substances are in the correct proportion to each other, both in strength and quantity, and are well mixed. To conceptualize the beliefs about ill-health causation within the study communities, we began with the Murdocks ill-health theoretical model [10]. Dime (1995:30-31) argues that the diagnosis of diseases in an African traditional healing system is a twofold event. Ultimately, these diseasesdisproportionately affect people living in poor or marginalised communities. A qualitative ethnographic method was conducted in Tehuledere Woreda, an administrative unit in the north-east of Ethiopia [14] (see Fig. 1983;17(16):120511. Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies Several theories were advanced from time to time to explain disease causation such as the supernatural theory of disease, the theory of humors by Greeks and Indians, the theory of contagion, the miasmatic theory which attributed disease to noxious air and vapours, the theory of spontaneous generation, etc. It involves praising and glorifying the sky-god and seeking his spiritual assistance to ward off evil. Disease is an objectively measurable pathological condition of the body. It states thatmicroorganismsknown aspathogensor germs can lead to disease. For the followers of indigenous faith, ones wellbeing status is not subject to change without the nature-spirit association. Chelle is represented by colorful small beads. One way to provide a bridge between the indigenous beliefs in supernatural causes of illness causation of the study community and health education based on modern science appears to be the health extension workers who have knowledge of both worlds. TWIO. Predictors of cultural competence among nursing students in the Philippines: A cross-sectional study. Mishra SI, Hess J, Luce PH. The first is the monocausal view and emerges from the "conquest" of the infectious diseases. A world survey. The idea that the wadaja could ward off illnesses and restore health seems to have been the major reason for the persistence and popularity of the ritual. The number of participants in each focus group ranged from 8 to 12. Full Text: PDF. Two principal etiologies are identified: personalistic and naturalistic. Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's . The outlook regarding disease causation has changed considerably with time and advancements in science. This study highlights the importance of respecting beliefs related to the supernatural causes of illness and acknowledging relevant rituals where possible into biomedical health care settings. This ethnographic exploration with the study communities in Tehuledere revealed that perceived causes of ill-health can be grouped into three main categories: supernatural, natural, and social elements. Traditional healing and primary care: a socio-cultural study in a rural Tehuledere community, North-Eastern Ethiopia. In-depth understanding of disease causation aids in planning prevention and steps to tackle the disease in a population. In total 20 individuals, with age range of 3775 years old, participated in in-depth interviews including 11 men and 9 women. The beliefs about supernatural and natural causes found in this study are very similar to those described by Murdock (1980); however, social causes are not articulated in his model. For example, the qallicha American journal of public health (New York, N.Y. : 1912),11(10), 908912. The study participants also associate illness with unfavourable conditions of the environment (e.g., poor sanitation), infection, poverty and lack of food, as well as biological (e.g., aging, genetics) and psychological causes such as stress and worry. Too often, indigenous medicine is criticized as harmful traditions as if it was a threat to human health. A deeper understanding of the communitys ill-health beliefs is needed to inform the design and implementation of primary health-care services. The site is secure. The SlideShare family just got bigger. Finally the themes were incorporated into a conceptual model of the participants and their beliefs and perceptions in illness causation [18]. The second approach emphasizes the concept of multicausality and derives its popularity largely from the study of the diseases of industrialized societies. Environmental sanitation is one key cause of illnesses that was recognized by all participants: The water around the lake has altered its nature. HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help Kassaye KD, Amberbir A, Getachew B, Mussema Y. New York: The Free Press; 1994. Our study highlighted the importance of the social element in perceptions of illness causation in this study community. Bareilly, UP, India. When Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch discovered and developed what would later be called the germ theory in the 1860s, this was a radical, then revolutionary ideaone so good . Table 1 Filipino word/s depicting cultural beliefs and their English translation Full size table Just as members of a society work together to fulfill a society's needs, culture exists to meet its members' social and personal needs. Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections The validity of our findings was enhanced by employing different types of triangulation: methodological triangulation (the data collected in the focus groups and the individual interviews were compared and contrasted); and investigator triangulation (multiple members of the research team both in and outside the field participated in data analysis including coding and identification of themes) [14]. He approached this ethnographic work as an Amharic speaker and tradition bearer, a member of the Amhara elite, and also as a senior pharmacy professional. A successful integrated primary health care strategy should include strategies for supporting patients needs in all three of these domains. This volunteer participatory observation helped him to access research participants and health extension workers working in health institutions. We will also share examples on how these common beliefs provide explanation as cause of illness and its implications in our genetic counseling profession. Permission to conduct the participant observation in the communities was provided by the heads of the health facilities. 2003;9(6):649. Most participants were Muslims (n=92) and the rest were Ethiopian Orthodox Christians. The PubMed wordmark and PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Epub 2022 Jan 25. 12. Research has linked social isolation and loneliness to higher risks for a variety of physical and mental conditions: high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, and even death. We also found acts in violation of social taboos or moral injunction were thought to cause illness directly rather than through the mediation of a supernatural being. It is hoped that the model of illness causation identified in this study will help to enhance the rural health plan for the 5 villages of Tehuledere Woreda and beyond. Another theory was that the kapre possessed the husband, . A. Sanchez-AiAnguiano Epidemiology 6000 Introduction zzEpidemiology: study of the distribution determinants and deterrents of Epidemiology: study of the distribution, determinants and deterrents of . Understanding perceptions of the causes of ill-health common in indigenous communities may help policy makers to design effective integrated primary health care strategies to serve these communities. In contrast a stable home and family was seen as an important contributor to health. Young A. 2022 Dec;9(6):2560-2567. doi: 10.1007/s40615-021-01190-6. The views presented in the article are of the authors and do not necessarily express the views of the funding organization. The health extension workers also helped to select 96 participants for 10 focus group discussions and 20 individuals (two from each focus groups) were selected purposively for follow-up individual interviews based on their demonstrated knowledge and ability to describe their experiences in the focus groups. In Ethiopia, people use indigenous medical systems as an alternative health care service along with the biomedical health services [1, 6]. Kickbush I. BEINGS Model of disease causation includes Spiritual factors , Social factors & Nutritional factors. This ethnographic study was grounded in participant observations made by the principal investigator (MHK) working as a volunteer heath extension worker in the study area for five months between June and November, 2013. Google Scholar. Disease is an important entity in healthcare. Initially Neolithic (New Stone Age), the Nok culture made the transition to the Iron Age. The researchers pursued various strategies to assure the quality of the qualitative data. Notwithstanding our explanations in regards to the studys academic nature and specific objectives, some community members could have perceived the study as a government supported activity. Terms and Conditions, The emphasis on culture in our genetic counseling training recognizes its crucial role in molding an individual's conceptualization of health, as well as other life aspects, especially since the Filipino culture is a mixture of indigenous as well as imported and borrowed elements. Correspondence to Enjoy access to millions of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more from Scribd. 4. Members of the study community believes that supernatural, natural and social elements are linked to ill-health causation. Soc Sci Med. Indigenous people often believe that Western trained doctors are not equipped to address their concerns which are can include spiritual as well as physical concerns [2]. 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