RESUMEN
An epidemiological study of acute respiratory infection (ARI) in an urban community showed poor utilization of available health services. This prompted us to undertake this study to identify determinants of child care practices of mothers through a focus group discussion and survey of the knowledge, attitudes and practices of mothers. The results will form the basis of appropriate health education strategy geared towards control of ARI. They showed that, generally, the mothers were unable to recognize a severe infection. Poor diagnostic ability compounded by a limited knowledge of the appropriate management of varying types or degrees of ARI resulted in inappropriate action. Consequently, there was a high rate of self-medication and a low rate of health service utilization. In addition, there was low compliance with childhood immunizations. With these limitations in the mother's knowledge and practices, an education programme utilizing an informative print material was devised to upgrade the mother's ability to recognize signs of ARI and to improve her management of the condition.
Asunto(s)
Actitud Frente a la Salud , Servicios de Salud del Niño/estadística & datos numéricos , Servicios de Salud del Indígena , Infecciones del Sistema Respiratorio/terapia , Salud Rural , Enfermedad Aguda , Niño , Preescolar , Estudios Transversales , Atención Domiciliaria de Salud , Humanos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Filipinas , Infecciones del Sistema Respiratorio/epidemiología , Infecciones del Sistema Respiratorio/mortalidad , Automedicación , Factores SocioeconómicosRESUMEN
The study addresses the question of how the qualitative aspect of the interaction between the people involved in the leprosy control programme affects the process of patients (P), service providers (SP) and satellite informants (SI) composed of community leaders, in the delivery of basic leprosy control services in two high leprosy endemic villages in La Union province, the Philippines. The interaction between P, SP and SI as an independent variable is imagined to be linked in a form of a triad, influenced by psycho-social and environmental variables. Data was gathered by conventional methods as interviews, historical research and use of rating scales as well as non-conventional methods as PUP, a locally developed standardized instrument which measures variables that determine a Filipino's adjustment to social situations, and photographic documentation. Statistical analysis was made on the independent variable and the dependent variable - an improved Leprosy Control Programme. It was observed that the stigmatization of Hansenites had deep historical roots with the policy of colonial administrations to isolate and segregate Hansenites. This stigma remains to the present and was observed to exist even among service providers: Low knowledge levels of patients on the causes of the disease on the one hand, and service providers on the cure, particularly on the use of Multiple Drug Therapy. The reorganization scheme of the Health Ministry also resulted in the slow down of leprosy control activities thereby affecting delivery of services. Individual personality traits and other psycho-social factors of P, SP and SI further contributed to the lag in service delivery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Asunto(s)
Actitud del Personal de Salud , Atención a la Salud , Relaciones Interpersonales , Lepra/prevención & control , Agentes Comunitarios de Salud/psicología , Partería , Enfermeras y Enfermeros/psicología , Filipinas , Médicos/psicologíaRESUMEN
This brief paper presents the need for studies on the social aspects of leprosy; it also describes a current research project in the Philippines with a multidisciplinary team consisting of medical doctors and social scientists. Moreover, it tries to show what the research data might do to improve leprosy control programmes. The research team hopes that these pioneering efforts in the study of the social aspects of leprosy, which is a highly stigmatized disease, will encourage other scientists to follow suit.