Modern Ghana SESSION 9 THE HEALTH INSTITUTION IN TRANSITION - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

College of Education School of Continuing and Distance Education

2016/2017

SOCI 224: Social Structure Modern Ghana

SESSION 9 – THE HEALTH INSTITUTION IN TRANSITION Lecturers: Dr. Fidelia Ohemeng & Mark K. M. Obeng, University of Ghana Contact Information: fohemeng@ug.edu.gh

Session Overview

This session gives a general overview of the health situation in Ghana. It begins by defining health, and describe how socio-cultural factors influence the experience of health. Additionally, how Ghanaians understand and interpret health is also discussed. The session will conclude by identifying the factors that influence the health seeking behaviour of Ghanaians.

Session Outline

• Define health
• Identify the socio-cultural influences of health
• Explain the theories of health
• Understand the determinants of the search for

treatment

• Identify the factors that influence the choice of

a health facility

Reading List

• Abotchie, C. (2016) Social Change in Ghana. Accra: Hans
• Publications. Chapter 8

Definition of Health

• WHO defines health as the complete state of physical,

mental, social and spiritual wellbeing.

• Thus, it is not just the absence of ill health or disease.

Health has:

– Social meaning – Psychological – Religious meaning

Socio-culture influences on Health

• Health is affected by cultural beliefs, this makes the meaning and the

perception of health differ from society to society.

– Examples: menarche (first menstrual period for girls) passes without incidence and cause for celebration (puberty rights) in Ghana. In the West girls going through puberty are thought to suffer from PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome.

– Influences how weight gain and loss is perceived in Ghana and the Western World

OBESE OR SIGN OF GOOD LIVING?

Other Factors Affecting Health

• Race/Some diseases effect people of other races more than others.
• Genetic or Personal lifestyle or Institutional Inequalities

– For instance fibroid, sickle cell disease affect people of African origin more than Caucasians (genetic) – African-American women are 3 times more likely to die during childbirth than white women

• Class
• Occupation
• Gender
• Income Level
• Age
• Cultural

Slide 9

Theoretical Explanations of Health in Ghana

• Germ/ Natural (biological)
• Social Causation (spiritual)

Germ Caused Theory

• The belief that diseases can be naturally caused by

germs/virus/bacterial

– This is as a result of the on-going public health education

• By eating wrongly (e.g. New Yams, Unripen mangoes)
• Long Exposure to Sunlight or Cold

Slide 10

Social Causation Theory

• Sickness as a result of a disruption in social relations

– Disagreements, family feud, quarrels, disrespect of elders, etc.

• As a result disease maybe caused by:

– witchcraft, – magic/sorcery, – punishment from ancestors/gods, – juju (duabo)

• Examples are mental illness, swollen legs/stomachs,

diarrhea, or even common headache, etc.

Slide 11

Explanations contd.

• An initial perceived cause of a disease may change

– Thus, an initial interpretation of a disease as germ caused may take on a different interpretation after a while

• E.g. a headache or sore which lingers for a while

– In the same way, an initial interpretation of social causation or spiritual explanation may change to germ/biological explanation

• E.g. HIV/AIDS, mental illness, congenital diseases

Slide 12

Search For Treatment

The search for treatment is determined by the perceived cause of the disease

• Germ/natural causes: herbal or orthodox medicine (hospital,

clinic, pharmacy)

• Social causation: psychic in nature. This involves making amends
• f the offending forces through rituals, sacrifices or divination,

etc.

• Thus, Ghana’s medical system can be described as pluralistic in

nature; the fusion of modern/orthodox medicine and traditional medicine

Slide 13

Factors that influence the choice of a health facility

• Twumasi (1975) identified four factors:

– The nature of the disease (how it is perceived) – The cost – The distance – A guarantee that a cure can be found

Slide 14

Notable Milestones in Health

• Korle Bu Teaching Hospital was the 1st hospital est. in 1923
• Structure of health facilities in Ghana

– Tertiary/Teaching Hospital (Korle-Bu, Komfo Anokye, Tamale, Legon*) – Regional Hospitals – District Hospitals

• Primary Health Care (PHC) was adopted in 1975

Slide 15

Milestone Cont.

Trends in healthcare costs:

• SAP/ERP=Fee Payment*
• NHIS*
• Co-payment*
• Special dispensation (Free Treatment )

– Maternal health – Tuberculosis – Cholera – Guinea Worm

Slide 16

COMMON DISEASES (OPD)

• Common diseases malaria (leading cause of death),

typhoid, cholera, HIV/AIDS, etc

Slide 17

Assignment

• Identify one disease in Ghana:
• a. Examine how it is perceived (perceived cause)
• b. Identify the treatment options and show how the

perceived cause influences the treatment

Slide 18