Title: Applying medical anthropology in the control of infectious disease.

POPLINE Document Number: 141250

Author(s):

Manderson L

Source citation:

Tropical Medicine and International Health, 1998 Dec;3(12):1020-7.

Abstract:

Anthropological interest in infectious disease control is relatively recent. Now, however, anthropology plays 2 roles in controlling infectious disease. First, anthropologists can identify and describe concerns and understandings of disease, including local knowledge of cause and treatment relevant to disease control. Second, local concerns can then be translated into appropriate health interventions by providing information to be incorporated into education and communication strategies for disease control. Problems arise in infectious disease control programs with competing knowledge and value systems. Anthropology's role has traditionally been in translating local concepts of illness and treatment, and adapting biomedical knowledge to fit local etiologies. Medical anthropology, however, can be applied to better understand the local context of disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, as well as the structural and conceptual barriers to improved health status. National and international public health goals which respect local priorities are uncommon, and generic health goals rarely coincide with specific country and community needs. The success of interventions and control programs is moderated by local priorities and conditions, and sustainable interventions need to acknowledge and address country-specific social, economic, and political circumstances.

Keywords:

Communicable Diseases
Anthropology, Cultural
Medicine
Prevention and Control
Infections
Diseases
Anthropology
Social Sciences
Health Services
Delivery of Health Care
Health