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Biomedical subjects

P S Yoder

Publications and source records attributed to P S Yoder.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Symptoms and perceived severity of illness as predictive of treatment for diarrhea in six Asian and African sites.

This paper examines associations between symptoms, judgement of severity and treatments given for episodes of childhood diarrhea. Using data from ten large sample surveys conducted in six research sites in Asia and Africa, the paper addresses three main questions. One, to what extent are judgments of severity of diarrhea among young children a function of the symptoms observed during an episode of diarrhea? Two, what is the relative importance of symptoms observed vs judgments of severity in the treatments given for diarrhea? And three, what do the results imply for programs promoting the use of ORT for diarrhea? The study found that mothers, perception of severity of illness is linked most closely to three symptoms: vomiting, fever and lassitude. These symptoms are associated with (a) treating the child at all and (b) taking the child to a health facility. These conclusions take on particular significance since they are based on a comparison of ten data sets from six sites differing widely in population density, ecology, access to medical services, educational level and financial resources.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Examining ethnomedical diagnoses and treatment choices for diarrheal disorders in Lubumbashi Swahili.

This article examines the basis of ethnomedical classification of diarrheal disease among the Swahili speaking population of Lubumbashi, Zaire and the association of specific diagnoses with treatments given. Results from two research methods are reported: group interviews and large sample surveys. A series of group interviews with mothers of small children provided information about how they commonly diagnose illnesses related to childhood diarrheal disease as well as which symptoms, causes, and treatments they associate with those illnesses. Data from the interviews were used to formulate questions about the diagnosis of illness and treatments given for recent cases of diarrhea. A baseline and a follow-up survey provided information about the symptoms associated with reported episodes of illness and about the treatments given at home. The results provide evidence that ethnomedical diagnoses are based on observed symptoms, that they affect how and why oral rehydration therapy (ORT) is used or not used for diarrhea, and that the terms chosen by survey researchers to ask about diarrhea and ORT may affect survey results in predictable and systematic ways.

Child↗
PubMed1994

Perceptions of severity of diarrhoea and treatment choice: a comparative study of HealthCom sites.

This paper examines the association of treatments given for childhood diarrhoea with the severity of the illness as perceived by mothers and caretakers. Drawing on 11 large sample surveys in seven research sites of the HealthCom project, the study shows that in all sites, the children judged as very sick were more likely to receive treatment than those not very sick, and that the more severe cases were more likely to be taken to a health facility. The results also show that in half of the surveys, the more severe cases were more likely to be given SSS or ORS. No overall pattern of relations was found between severity and giving herbal medicine or pharmaceutical drugs at home. The study found that most carers of children with diarrhoea give some form of treatment at home in all research sites and that treatment choice is influenced by the severity of the episode. The results suggest that the perception of mothers and carers of the severity of episodes of diarrhoea is an important factor in their choice of treatment, and thus could be used in messages promoting improved treatment of diarrhoeal disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Biomedical and ethnomedical practice in rural Zaire: contrasts and complements.

Some health care planners and scholars who work in developing countries have advocated the promotion of some form of cooperation, or even integration of the medical services of biomedical practitioners with the services of local healers. This paper discusses issues that mus be addressed in the consideration of such possibility in a rural community in Zaire where the "dual use' of medical resources is evident. After briefly outlining the characteristics of the biomedical and ethnomedical systems that now exist, the strengths and weaknesses of each system are evaluated and compared. In promoting cooperation between different types of practitioners, project planners, it is argued, should consider the strengths and weaknesses of each type of medical practice and should seek to improve the use of existing medical resources. The paper concludes by outlining a series of progressive stages of contact among practitioners that could lead to a system of mutual referral.

Community Health Services↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluating the program effects of a radio drama about AIDS in Zambia.

This study describes an approach to the analysis of data that is designed to isolate program effects for evaluations and applies that approach to a program in Zambia designed to disseminate AIDS information. Evidence is considered that a radio drama broadcast for nine months had an impact on knowledge and behavior related to AIDS among Bemba speakers in northern Zambia. Using results from large sample surveys (1,600 men and women), conducted before and after the drama was broadcast, the analyses compare changes in knowledge and behavior in those most likely and least likely to have listened to the broadcast. While the population as a whole had improved its knowledge substantially, and some people reported having reduced risky behavior, attributing these changes to the program itself was not possible.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗