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Biomedical subjects

B S Hewlett

Publications and source records attributed to B S Hewlett.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Medical anthropology and Ebola in Congo: cultural models and humanistic care.

Seldom have medical anthropologists been involved in efforts to control high mortality diseases such as Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF) This paper describes the results of two distinct but complementary interventions during the first phases of an outbreak in the Republic of Congo in 2003. The first approach emphasized understanding local peoples cultural models and political-economic explanations for the disease while the second approach focused on providing more humanitarian care of patients by identifying and incorporating local beliefs and practices into patient care and response efforts.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Culture and early infancy among central African foragers and farmers.

Everyday infant experiences among the Aka hunter-gatherers and the neighboring Ngandu farmers were observed and compared. Twenty Aka and 21 Ngandu 3- to 4-month-olds and 20 Aka and 20 Ngandu 9- to 10-month-olds were observed for 3 hr on each of 4 days so that all 12 daylight hr were covered. The Aka infants were more likely to be held, fed, and asleep or drowsy, whereas Ngandu infants were more likely to be alone and to fuss or cry, smile, vocalize, or play. The amount of crying, soothing, feeding, and sleeping declined over time in both groups. Distal social interaction increased over time among the Ngandu but not among the Aka. Despite striking cultural differences on many variables, however, functional context systematically affected the relative prominence of the infants' behavior in both cultural groups.

Africa↗
PubMed1997

Anthropological contributions to a community-based schistosomiasis control project in northern Cameroun.

This paper describes how anthropological contributions and extensive cooperation between tropical medicine and medical anthropology researchers contributed to a successful community-based cost recovery schistosomiasis control project in northern Cameroun. The project led to increased knowledge about urinary schistosomiasis by local people, significant decreases in prevalence and intensity of the disease, and increased utilization of primary health care centers.

Anthropology, Cultural↗
PubMed1996

Community-based approach to schistosomiasis control.

With few exceptions, efforts to control schistosomiasis have relied upon ongoing community cooperation with "outsiders' rather than creating within the community the capacity and means for carrying out ongoing disease control measures with minimal external support. Offered as a useful model is a program in Kaele subdivision, Extreme North Province, Cameroon designed to establish and integrate within the primary health care (PHC) system the control of urinary schistosomiasis, hyperendemic in the region. At the community level, and with minimal dependence upon external resources, culturally appropriate and effective health education was instituted, the capacity to diagnose and treat schistosomiasis was created, diagnosis and drug therapy (praziquantel) was made available conveniently and at low cost, and, on a very limited basis, snails were controlled. Efforts were made to build upon and strengthen existing community structures and institutions rather than create new ones. The impact of the interventions was measured in terms of changes in knowledge and behavior, prevalence and intensity of infection, utilization of health services, and the ability to finance the control activities within the context of a generalized cost recovery system. Program successes and failures are discussed, as well as lessons learned and their implications.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Ivermectin distribution and the cultural context of forest onchocerciasis in South Province, Cameroon.

This investigation examined the cultural context of forest onchocerciasis in several communities in the Dja-Lobo Division of southern Cameroon. The study sought to elucidate behaviors that would enhance or diminish health status relative to forest onchocerciasis and other filarial infections, and to make culturally sensitive and appropriate recommendations regarding the development of health education materials and the long-term sustainability of the ivermectin distribution program in Dja-Lobo. The study consisted of two sequential components; the first was a qualitative study of a few severely affected villages and the second was a quantitative study of 212 randomly selected heads of households from eight villages. The Boulou and Baka peoples in these communities defined general filariasis (minak) as small worms under the skin, identified flies as important transmitters of the illness, and indicated that blindness and other skin and ocular problems were a consequence of the illness. Illness of the Dja (referring to an illness found near the Dja River) was another illness that was closely linked to onchocerciasis; local people indicated it was transmitted by the black flies found near the Dja River, resulting in severe itching and leopard skin. These and other cultural-behavioral data on filariasis were used to implement a health education and distribution program.

Antinematodal Agents↗
PubMed1989

The growth hormone receptor gene in the African pygmy.

Multiple studies indicate that the pygmy responds poorly to GH. A GH-binding protein, which is a fragment of the GHR is markedly diminished in pygmy serum, suggesting a defect in the GHR. Full analysis of the molecular nature and function of the GHR gene is incomplete, but with one enzyme BstNI restriction fragment length, polymorphism was noted in pygmies located in an intron. This was an uncommon finding in other non-pygmy populations. The alteration noted may be in linkage disequilibrium with an effective mutation responsible for changes in the GHR of the pygmy. This is most likely in the regulatory regions of either the 3' or 5' extensions.

Africa↗