Medical Anthropology - Coursework Example

MEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGY Introduction Medical anthropology can be defined as a human sciences study whichfocuses on the human health in terms of diseases, the healthcare systems and bio-cultural adaptation of humans. Medical anthropology seeks to provide an understanding of the humans from a multidimensional perspective. The aspect of medical anthropology remains one of the most studied anthropology field which focuses of providing an insight into ways through which human health affects the society and culture of individuals (Winkelman, 2008). The study seeks to analyse the social processes and cultural aspects which are related to human health. The aspect of medical anthropology enables individuals to understand how the social resources relate to the healthcare and other related services. This study enhances the knowledge of individuals within the healthcare field in seeking provide solutions to health problems across the world. Different syndromes1 can be effectively studies through medical anthropology in seeking to understand their effects on the social setting. The relationship between these conditions would become properly established through the increased knowledge gained on the different elements which define the condition. The social impact2 of these conditions remains a significant determinant of the healthcare received by the affected individuals. Management of different syndromes, which are long term conditions, significantly affects the social perception of the healthcare system and the health provided to the individuals. As a long-tern conditions various syndromes have significant effect upon the welfare of individuals in relation to the healthcare services received. HIV/AIDS in urban neighbourhoods HIV/AIDS can be defined as a human condition which is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)3 which begins with symptoms similar to those of flu. The period is commonly followed by an extended period during which there are no symptoms which are displayed. The conditions processes and affects the immune system, making the individuals become susceptible to opportunistic infections and other diseases which do not affects individuals with working immune system. The disease of commonly transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse and blood transfusions. Prevention of the disease occurs through safe sex and needle exchange programmes4. There is yet no vaccine or treatment for the condition but there are antiretroviral treatments which can enable an individual return to normal life. Despite the medication having side effect, it remains the only available life lengthening remedy for the condition. The condition presents various effects within the society including social and health effects upon the infected individuals. Other than these effects the condition also affects the economic well-being of the infected individuals within the society, through the increased costs of purchasing the medication and sustaining livelihood once infected with the condition. The increased rate of infections with the disease around the globe has resulted in the condition being a national pandemic within many countries around the world. The global concerns surrounding the condition range from health issues, economic and even religious concerns. Many religious controversies surrounding the disease have resulted for the perceptions and misguided beliefs regarding the transmission of the disease through non-sexual contact. The economic impact of the condition has continuously resulted in increased political attention, which has resulted large-scale funding for the disease. Anthropological examination of the conditions presents essential insights which could be beneficial in understanding the management of the condition. The aspect of management of the condition involve mitigation of the spread through limiting transmission and spread of the condition. The spread of the disease commonly follows the social fault lines of economic, political and cultural effects upon the society. These social fault lines commonly influence and determine the individuals who are at risk of contracting the disease. The social consequences resulting from these aspects necessitate the analysis of the impact of the condition in terms of gender, class and economic orders, which are significant determinants of social well-being. The condition remains a relatively new condition which has been described within different aspects of the human health. Though the condition has been scientifically described as HIV/AIDS within many cultural aspects the terms are commonly utilised in actual discourse. Medical anthropology is utilised in examining the social production of the condition in the context of the disease environment and economic problems associated with underdevelopment. These remains fundamental social conditions which influence the spread of the pandemic across many regions(Yamada, 1999). The social settings which are commonly governed by different elements including economic well-being and cultural beliefs significantly influence the stability of the society. Social instability remains one of the fundamental elements which determine the spread of sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS. Many urban neighbourhoods are characterised by numerous challenges of the social amenities and cultural beliefs of the individuals residing within those neighbourhoods. The spread of the disease remains completely preventable because the disease remains dependant of the behaviours of individuals, which support the transmission of the disease. Understanding the courses of the actions which result in the spread of the condition involves the analysis of other factors which influence the decisions people make. The basic constraints existing within many urban neighbourhoods have a significant impact upon the decisions which individuals make regarding behaviours which enhance the spread of HIV/AIDS. The social constraints within the environment present the urban residents with limited choices regarding engagement into sexual behaviours which might increase the spread of the disease within the neighbourhoods. While education might have a significant influence in enhancing the decision making process, the social constraints commonly make the people to make irrational choices. Prostitution activities within the urban neighbourhoods remain common because of the social setting within these regions. The infection of an individual with the disease can be linked with the presence of pathophysiologic disturbance within the individual. Despite this observation, the presence of other problems within the urban society create a predisposition to other diseases and death. These problems existing within the urban neighbourhoods affects the transmission of the disease between different individuals. Occupational risk, economic insecurity, lack of political power and malnutrition remains some of the many problems facing the urban communities which make them highly susceptible to communicable diseases(Watkins-Hayes, Patterson, & Armour, 2011). The continued presence of these problems makes the urban residents become accustomed to the challenges and accept them as part of their livelihood, despite the imminent risk presented by the prevailing condition. Culture specific syndromes These are illnesses which are commonly associated with combinations of somatic and psychiatric symptoms, which might only be found within specific society or culture. These diseases are commonly associated with specific cultures and cannot be observed within other societies. These syndromes can be defined as epidemics which are associated with specific behaviours observed within a specified community or culture. Communal reinforcements and beliefs remains fundamental determinants of the prevalence of these conditions(Tseng, 2006). Despite the conditions being associated with cultural behaviours observed within a community, there is an increasing difficulty in establishing the causal contribution of cultural beliefs in the occurrence of these syndromes. This is because pathological studies commonly identify other environmental factors as being essential in the development of the conditions. Culture specific conditions remains extremely rare because of the limited distributions caused by the uniqueness of the causative agents. These agents include cultural and environmental elements which result in either minor health problems or even fatal diseases. These conditions commonly necessitate the requirement of medication for treatment despite the danger posed upon the infected individuals being minimal or fatal. Many of these conditions remains unique and their management requires specific approaches towards avoiding their spread into other regions. The cultural differences existing within different societies commonly have fundamental effect upon the occurrence of these syndromes. The syndromes can be differentiated from geographically localised diseases because of the specificity, and the symptoms associated with the disease. The fundamental similarity remain the occurrence within different regions were certain cultural practices are held. The syndromes are commonly caused by conditions which could be considered normal social practices within different societies. An example of common practices is the observation of individuals engaging in animated conversations with dead relatives and other supernatural beings within the western world. These individuals are commonly considered to have mental illnesses which could be treated through different psychiatric approaches. These elements remain normal occurrences within these societies, however their observation within other regions would lead to an individual being admitted to a psychiatric health facility for specialised medication and treatment. While many of these syndromes remains purely behavioural, there are others which have detrimental effects upon the body and commonly have somatic symptoms upon the infected individuals(Kirmayer & Sartorius, 2007). These symptoms a commonly not associated with the condition affecting the individuals. These syndromes are characterised by various attributes which are utilised in seeking to diagnose the condition accurately. The syndromes are commonly categorised as a disease within the medical field while it remains considered a voluntary behaviours among individuals sharing the same culture as the affected individuals. The cultural beliefs of the affected population play a fundamental role in ensuring effectiveness of the medication provided for the syndrome. This commonly occurs because of the widespread familiarity of the symptoms within the culture, which make the individuals perceive the condition of a simple problem, and not a fundamental problem. Another characteristic of these syndromes remains the complete unfamiliarity of the condition within the other cultures. This remains the fundamental attribute which makes the condition to be considered an ailment within the other societies. Anthropological study into the various attributes of these syndromes could provide fundamental insight into the effects of these conditions upon the affected population. Understanding the existing relationships between the syndromes and the social well-being remains essential in the implementation of remedial actions for fatal culture specific syndromes. Because of the increased familiarity of the condition among the society, many individuals remain adamant to the utilisation of medical interventions when faced with the challenge of these conditions(Singer & Baer, 2011). This creates a fundamental challenge in the administration of medication among the affected population because of the social beliefs attributed to the occurrence of the condition. This commonly results in the adverse outcomes observed within different instances of culture specific syndromes Anthropological perspectives into these syndromes commonly emphasise on the culture specific dimensions of the syndrome while ignoring the universal and neuropsychological aspects of the syndromes. This commonly results in the conditions being generalised and compared to other existing conditions which are not culture specific. In seeking to understand these condition and their impact upon the societies affected by the syndromes, objective analysis of the symptoms remains essential in determining other factors which influence the occurrence of the disease. The occurrence of these syndromes is commonly worsened by the acceptance of the condition as a normal aspect of life within different societies, yet the susceptible individuals suffer from the effects of the syndromes. Treatment Treatment remains a fundamental determinant of the process of administering healthcare to individuals suffering from different medical condition. The provision of treatment remains significant because if presents the fundamental outcome of any intervention applied upon an infected individual. Medical anthropology commonly involves the examination of social structures related to diagnosis, prevention and treatment of medical conditions(Singer & Baer, 2011). The fundamental outcome of the process of diagnosis and prevention remain the treatment of the condition since this is the last step towards mitigation of the adverse effects of the disease. The medical interventions applied within the process of management of various conditions is commonly aimed at ensuring treatment of the condition for the patient’s well-being. Medical anthropology seeks to examine the effects of different treatment approaches in ensuring successful curing of medical conditions experienced by different individuals. The curing process following treatment could be successful because the procedures utilised remains fundamental in assisting the individual to recover from the illness. While medication might be considered as a curative element, other interventions utilised within the healthcare system also present similar curative results among the affected individuals. Other causes of cure within many individuals remains the psychological perception of getting well, following the visit to a doctor. This remains the fundamental characteristic in the treatment of common ailments like influenza, where the medication remains commonly focused at mitigating the symptoms and not treatment of the condition. Regardless of the medicine consumed, many patients commonly become cured from these conditions. Administration of a treatment method remains an essential element which is utilised in the management of diseases and ensuring the well-being of patients. Treatment remains an essential element in medical anthropology because it enhances the understanding of the effects of treatment upon the individuals. The capability for individuals to become cured following treatment remains essential in the improvement of the perceptions regarding the system and approaches utilised in the management of diseases. Understanding treatment remains a fundamental element in enhancing the delivery of quality healthcare within different systems. Effective treatment involves increased knowledge of the various attributes which can be utilised in defining the medical conditions affecting individuals. Treatment of different ailments occurs through the utilisation of different medical interventions which are commonly aimed at curing the infected individuals. Comprehensive treatment approaches remain essential in ensuring satisfaction of the patients with the services provided within the healthcare facilities. Conclusion Medical anthropology remains a field which has been increasingly studied in seeking to enhance the understanding of the existing relationships between diseases, human health and the healthcare systems. The effects of the diseases remains essential in determining the effective approaches which could be utilised in assessing the diseases(Winkelman, 2008). Other than the impact of the diseases, the other existing relationships include the social effects of different diseases upon the communities or individuals infected with the diseases. The diseases commonly present a health, social, political and even economic effects upon the affected individuals because of the numerous requirements in the management of the diseases. A combination of these elements presents an increased understanding of the perceptions held by affected individuals in seeking to administer effective treatment to the infected individuals. References Kirmayer, L. J., & Sartorius, N. (2007). Cultural models and somatic syndromes. Psychosomatic Medicine, 69(9), 832–840. Singer, M., & Baer, H. (2011). Introducing medical anthropology: a discipline in action. New York: Rowman Altamira. Tseng, W.-S. (2006). From peculiar psychiatric disorders through culture-bound syndromes to culture-related specific syndromes. Transcultural Psychiatry, 43(4), 554–576. Watkins-Hayes, C., Patterson, C. J., & Armour, A. R. (2011). Black Women, Neighborhood HIV/AIDS Risk, and Institutional Buffers. Du Bois Review, 8(1), 229–240. Winkelman, M. (2008). Culture and health: applying medical anthropology. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. Yamada, S. (1999). An Anthropological Examination of the HIV /Aids Epidemic. Pacific Health Dialogue, 6(2), 310–316.  Read More