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Medical treatment choice and health outcomes in the northern Peruvian Andes

Oths, Kathryn Sue

Abstract Details

1991, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Anthropology.
This study investigates the relationship between choice of medical treatment and perceived health outcomes in an Andean community where peasants have access to both biomedical and indigenous medicines. A number of internal and external ecological, social, cultural, political and economic forces are identified which impinge upon the patterns of sickness, the decision-making process and health outcomes. In addition to a census and health survey of the entire community (N = 902), data on all somatic and psychological symptoms were collected for 32 randomly chosen households (N = 166) over a 24-week interval. Standard field methodology for case illness collection was revised to take into account the chronic nature of highland illness. To accurately assess the highland illness experience, which consists largely of chronic and recurring, especially musculoskeletal problems, sickness must be talked about in terms of process as well as outcome. This calls for a reconceptualization of the notion of cure and curing efficacy, and attention to illness management as one type of successful outcome. My research among the people of Chugurpampa indicates that resort and subsequent perceived efficacy of treatment among healer options is not directly related to the severity of the illness episode. Also, people do not make treatment choices between traditional and modern options which follow a neat division between chronic/non-serious and acute/infectious ailments
Atwood Gaines (Advisor)
482 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Oths, K. S. (1991). Medical treatment choice and health outcomes in the northern Peruvian Andes [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1059580386

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Oths, Kathryn. Medical treatment choice and health outcomes in the northern Peruvian Andes. 1991. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1059580386.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Oths, Kathryn. "Medical treatment choice and health outcomes in the northern Peruvian Andes." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 1991. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1059580386

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)