NUJHS Vol. 2, No.

3, September 2012, ISSN 2249-7110

Nitte University Journal of Health Science

Review Article

SOCIO-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES ON HEALTH AND ILLNESS

1 2 3
Malathi G. Nayak , Sharada , Anice Geroge
Assistant Professor1 in Community Health Nursing Department, Assistant Lecturer2, Dean3, Manipal College of Nursing,
Manipal University, Manipal.
Correspondence:
Ms. Malathi G. Nayak,
Assistant Professor in Community Health Nursing Department,
Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal University, Manipal.
Mobile : +91 94495 86431 E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract :
Introduction: Every society has its own traditional beliefs and practices related to health care. Some practices are effective whereas
others may be harmful or ineffective. These beliefs and practices are linked to culture, environment and education. Health workers must
have concern for the community's cultural values and beliefs so that they can utilize the harmless practices for effective use as well as
eliminate harmful practices. Objectives of the study were to explore the adults perception on health and illness, Identify the health care
seeking behavior and to find the relationship between perceptions on health and illness with the study variables.
Method: Explorative cross sectional survey study was conducted among rural adults in the selected villages of Udupi district. The study
subjects (75) were interviewed through a questionnaire and selected by purposive sampling
Results: Data shows that majority (52.9%) of them were in the age group of 20-40 years and most (76.6%) of them were females. 52%
were illiterate and 73% were lived in nuclear family. 64% of the samples take the decision to seek medical help by themselves. Majority
of the samples (85%) perceived that yoga and exercises reduces the health risks. Most of the samples (70%) perceived smoking, alcohol,
using unsafe water & food, multiple sex partner, stress, obesity, are the risk factors to cause the diseases.
Conclusion: Present study samples perceived diseases like epilepsy, tuberculosis, leprosy is due to sin of god and past sins. Further
studies may require giving awareness program on particular area to remove such false beliefs.
Keywords: Perception on health and illness, health care seeking behavior, perceived health risks.

Introduction : are linked to culture, environment and education. Health

Every society has its own traditional beliefs and practices workers must have concern for the community's cultural
related to health care. values and beliefs so that they can utilize the harmless
Beliefs in supernatural powers, i.e. God, beliefs in holy practices for effective use as well as eliminate harmful
rituals, salvation, practices1
offerings and sacrifices are applied at different stages of life
All people, whether rural or urban, have their own beliefs
from birth to death.
and practices concerning health and diseases. Not all
Background of The Problem: customs and beliefs are bad, some are have positive values
People have taken pleasure in using traditional beliefs and while other may be harmful. Social and psychosocial
practices for a long time and got used to it. Thus it can be factors increase the risk of illness and influence the way
made easily acceptable that a person defines and reacts to illness. Social variable
Access this article online something that has been partly determine how the health care system provides
Quick Response Code given by the faith healer to medical care. Cultural background influences entry into the
the community. Some health care system and personal health practices. The ideas
practices are effective of the individuals may be valid and certainly influence their
whereas others may be health care behavior. Health professionals must recognize
harmful or ineffective. the existence of relativism in regard to modern scientific
These beliefs and practices medicine. Socio cultural differences between families and

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nurses can affect the nurse-patient, family relationship and Health perceptions and health beliefs vary across the
quality of care delivered. To provide the most effective care lifespan.4
the nurse needs to understand the relationship of different
Sociologists have demonstrated that the spread of diseases
needs and the cultural factors that determine the priorities
is heavily influenced by the socioeconomic status of
for the family2.
individuals, ethnic traditions or beliefs, and other cultural
Culture refers to the values, beliefs, and behaviors that are factors. The prevalence and response to different diseases
shared by members of a society and which provide varies by culture. Sociologists agree that alcohol
direction for people as to what is acceptable or consumption, smoking, diet, and exercise are important
unacceptable in given situations. Because even the issues, but they also see the importance of analyzing the
smallest decisions of a person's everyday life are influenced cultural factors that affect these patterns. Social factors
by culture, quality health care cannot be provided without play a significant role in developing health and illness.
a consideration of the client's cultural background. Herbal treatment is one of the primary medicines used to
treat HIV in Africa. The study of hypertension within the
Much research has focused on how persons come to make
United Kingdom has turned to examining the role that
judgments of their own health status. Many studies
beliefs play in its diagnosis and treatment. There were
suggest that judgments of health and well-being and
differing reasons for non-compliance that involve the
interpretations of sickness are shaped by factors beyond
patient's perception and beliefs about the diagnosis.
those traditionally captured by biomedical conceptions of
Patients commonly believe that high levels of anxiety when
illness. The identification of the exact psychological and
first diagnosed are the major cause and think that when
social factors responsible for self-assessed health,
stress levels decline so too will their hypertension5. Limited
however, remains elusive. Some have suggested that
knowledge about DM, based on beliefs about health and
individuals take into account important social and
illness including biomedical and traditional explanations
psychological resources, such as social support, feelings of
related to the influence of supernatural forces, e.g. fate,
control, and optimism, when making judgments of their
God etc., were found, which affected patients' self-care
own healthand that these psychosocial resources
and care-seeking behaviour6.
provide protection against morbidity and mortality3.
Statement of The Problem:
Health and illness behaviour studies make clear that the
An explorative study to assess the socio-cultural
forces affecting health and treatment outcomes transcend
perspectives on health and illness among adults of rural
medical care and the transactions that takes place between
areas of Udupi district.
doctor and patient. Studies of health and illness behaviour
teach the importance of moving beyond initial complaints Purpose of The Study:
and narrow definitions of problems and toward examining The present study extends existing research by broadening
the broad context of individuals' lives and the factors that the focus from examining concepts on health and illness.
affect social functioning and quality of life. A medical care The aim of the present study is to explore beliefs about
system responsive to these broad concerns would be health and illness that might affect self-care practice and
better prepared for the impending health care challenges health-care-seeking behaviour among adults who live in
of the new millennium. The literature of lay beliefs suggests selected villages.
that the concepts significantly affect a population's health
Objectives of The Study:
and illness behaviours, health consciousness and risk
The objectives of the study were to
perceptions. Therefore, a growing emphasis is now being
1. Explore the perception on health and illness among
placed on detecting lay beliefs of health, disease and risks.
adults

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2. Identify the health care seeking behavior collect the data from the concerned authorities. The data
3. Determine the perceived health risk among adults. was collected after obtaining the written consent from the
4. Find the association between perceived score on health eligible participants. The data was analyzed using
and illness and selected variables. descriptive (frequency and percentage) and inferential
statistics. The analysis was done based on objectives and
Variables:
hypothesis by using SPSS package version 16.
Key variables Perception on health and illness, health
care seeking behavior, perceived health risks. Results
Sample characteristics:
Selected variables - Age, gender, religion, type of family,
Among 75 adults, majority (69.3%) of them were in the age
education, occupation, exposure to mass media, income of
group of 25-40 years and 66.7% of them were females, 90%
the family.
were belongs to Hindu religion and living in a nuclear
Delimitation: family. Majority of the adults received information from
The study is delimited to adults of selected villages of Udupi the health personnel and from mass media (Table 1). The
District study showed that majority of them had perceived their
health status as average, decision taking by self to seek the
Research Methodology :
medical help and availing the treatment from the private
A community based explorative cross sectional survey
clinics. Most of the adults reported reasons for not seeking
study was carried out in Hirebettu village of Udupi District.
help that diseases are not sever enough (70.7%), unable to
A non probability purposive sampling was used to select 75
pay medical expenses (62.7%). Majority of the adults
adults by using structured and validated questionnaire on
perceived that when they feel sick then only they approach
perception on health & illness, perceived health risks and
(90%) health care (Table 2). Results shows that 84% of
on health seeking behavior.
adults have high perception and 16% of adults have
The Inclusion criteria a adults who were aged about 25yrs average perception on health and illness (Fig 1) and 45% of
and above, living and working in village area, present at adults believe that disease are caused by wrath of the
home during the time of study and willing to participate. god/goddess, 26% of them reported leprosy/TB caused
due to their past sins, 48% believed that epilepsy are due to
Demographic Proforma consisted of age, gender, religion,
ghost intrusion, 38% had given the report illness can be
type of family, education, occupation, exposure to mass
traced by enemies and 36% adults perceived that diseases
media, income of the family. Perceived health and illness
are caused by their 'karma' (Table 3). The Mean and
tool had 36 items on likert scale and categorized as low
Standard Deviation of Perception on health and illness was
perception (<48), average perception (49-96) and high
104.97 and 12.44 respectively.
perception (>96). Perceived health risks had 27 risk factors
and were categorized as high risk (>54), moderate risk(28- The data shows that adults of rural areas, they perceived
54) and low risks(<27) and health seeking behavior had that smoking, alcohol intake, drug abuse, using unsafe
total 5 items. water and food and multiple sex partners were the high risk
for the health and illness (Table 4). The Mean and Standard
Validity of the tools were established by submitting to five
Deviation of perceived health risk was 59.32 and 7.79
experts and there was 100% agreement on all items with
respectively. Chi-square was computed to analyze the
minimal correction. Reliability was established by
association between perceived health & illness and
administering the tool to ten adults, reliability coefficient
selected variables, results shows that there is a no
of the tools were computed by using chronbach's alpha and
significant association between perception on health and
was ( = 0.82). Administrative permission was obtained to

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illness and selected variables. Thus the null hypothesis was adults of rural areas, perceived that smoking, alcohol
accepted on regard to these variables and alternative intake, drug abuse, using unsafe water and food and
hypothesis was rejected (Table 5). multiple sex partner were the high risk for the health and
illness. 26% of them reported leprosy/TB caused due to
Discussion and conclusion :
their past sins, 48% believed that epilepsy are due to ghost
In the present study 45% of adults believe that disease are
intrusion, 38% had given the report illness can be traced by
caused by wrath of the god/goddess this supports the
enemies and 36% adults perceived that diseases are
study findings by Katarina Hjelm, Karin Bard, Per Nyberg
caused by their 'karma'. Cultural and religious distance are
and Jan Apelqvist explaining the cause of Diabetes Mellitus
essential for understanding self-care practice and care-
(DM) as 'the will of Allah or God7.
seeking behaviour, and need to be considered in the
The spread of diseases is heavily influenced by the planning of care.
socioeconomic status of individuals, ethnic traditions or
Table 2: Health seeking behavior:
beliefs, and other cultural factors. Results shows that
SI.No Area f %
Table 1: Sample Characteristics 1 Perception of own health
Good 30 40.0
SI.No Category f %
Average 43 57.3
1 Age in years
Poor 02 2.7
25-40 52 69.3
2 Decision taking to seek medical help
41-60 22 29.3
Parents 17 23.6
>60 1 1.3
self 53 70.0
2 Gender
siblings 05 6.4
Male 25 33.3
3 During illness where do you take treatment
Female 50 66.7
Public centres/hospitals 7 9.3
3 religion
Private hospitals 27 36.0
Hindu 68 90.7
Nursing homes/clinics 36 48.0
Muslim 6 8.0
Home remedies 5 6.7
Christian 1 1.3
4 Reason for not seeking health care
4 Marital status
Feeling that diseases are not severe enough 53 70.7
Married 62 82.7
Unable to pay medical expenses 47 62.7
Unmarried 8 10.7
Unreasonable charges in medical institution 24 32.0
Widow 5 6.7
Knowing how to deal with disease themselves 28 37.3
5 Educational status
Having no free time 26 34.7
Primary (>5th std) 22 29.3 Long distance from medical institution 13 17.3
Primary (5th to 7th Std) 17 22.7 Complicated medical procedures 25 33.3
secondary 36 48.0 Long queuing and waiting time 32 42.7
6. Type of family Poor services 3 4.0
Nuclear 42 56.0
Joint 32 32.7 Fig 1: Perception score on health and Illness (%)
extended 1 1.3
7 Employment status
Agriculturist/tailoring 52 69.3
House wife/coolie 23 30.7
8 Income of the family per month in rupees
< 2500 46 61.3
2501-5000 29 38.7
9 Information received on health and illness
Health personnel 65 86.7
Neighbor/friends 39 52.0
Family member 51 68.0
Average Perception
Mass media 58 77.3 High Perception

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Table 3: Perception on health and illness:

SA: Strongly Agree (4), A: Agree (3) D: Disagree (2), SD: Strongly Disagree (1).
Areas SA A D SD
Perception on Health: % % % %
Health is a complete state of physical, mental and social wellbeing 81.3 18.7
Health is promoting a positive attitude 33.3 35 18.7 1.3
Health is actively seeking out things that make me happy 49.3 44 6.7
Health is taking charge of and responsibility for, my own life 29.3 56 12 2.7
I believe health is finding ways to resolve any inner conflicts 26.7 54.7 16 2.7
Health is thinking positively and seeing the illness as challenge 28 40 30.7 1.3
I believe health means looking after myself and taking things easy 32 50.7 16 1.3
I believe health means giving up unhealthy habits 45.3 34.7 17.3 2.7
I believe home prepared foods are good for health 81.3 9.3 9.3
I believe yoga/meditation is good for health 88 10.7 1.3
I believe exercises reduces the health risk 66 32 1.3
Perception on illness:
Illness/diseases are caused by wrath of the god/goddess 16 45.3 29.3 9.3
Venereal diseases are caused due to illicit sexual intercourse 10.7 36 38.7 14.7
HIV/AIDS caused among poor socio economic people 49.3 30.7 14.7 5.3
Leprosy and tuberculosis caused due to their past sins 29.3 26.7 36 8
Children are most susceptible to the effect of 'evil eye' 20 34.7 36 9.3
Childhood diseases are attributed to the anger of god. 40 36 22.7 1.3
Hysteria or epilepsy (fits) are due to ghost intrusion 40 48 10.7 1.3
Illness can be traced by enemies 38.7 36 22.7 2.7
Illness can be prevented by eating certain types of foods. 14.7 45.3 30.7 9.3
Foods such as meat, egg, fish are considered to generate heat 14.7 20 37.3 28
Foods such as curds, milk, vegetables are believed to cool the body. 8 20 21.3 50.7
Fasting leads to nutritional deficiency disorder 17.3 28 33.3 21.3
Alcohol intake causes illness 62.7 29.3 2.7 5.3
Passive smokers more prone to get certain diseases 28 53.3 13.3 5.3
Poor ventilated houses causes diseases. 41.3 40 14.7 4
Some diseases are caused by my 'karma'. 32 30.7 25.3 12
Some diseases are inherited 22.7 52 14.7 10.7
Illness has serious financial consequences 70.7 18.7 9.3 1.3
Some illness strongly affects the way the patient sees himself as a person. 14.7 61.3 21.3 2.7
Illness makes me feel afraid and angry 62.7 29.3 1.3 6.7

Table 4: Perceived health risk

SI No Risks Low risk Moderate risk High risk
(%) (%) (%)
1 Active smoking 2.7 4.0 93.3
2 Passive smoking 9.3 62.7 28.0
3 Alcohol intake 4.0 10.7 85.3
4 Extreme water change 30.7 56.0 13.3
5 Drug abuse 1.3 36.0 62.7
6 Soil and road dust 37.3 45.3 17.3
7 Eating junk foods 21.3 45.3 33.3
8 Vehicle emission 25.3 37.3 37.3
9 Over crowding 14.7 62.7 22.7
10 Garbage burning 38.7 49.3 12.0
11 Odor from garbage 24.0 62.7 10.7
12 Wood as a cooking fuel 58.7 34.7 6.7
13 Industrial emission 1.3 56.0 42.7

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Table 4: Perceived health risk ( continued )

SI No Risks Low risk Moderate risk High risk
(%) (%) (%)
14 High tension/stress 10.7 52.0 37.3
15 Using unsafe water & food 0 22.7 76.0
16 Open electric wire 37.3 32.0 30.7
17 Multiple sex partner 5.3 36.0 58.7
18 Obesity 17.3 44.0 37.3
19 Improper personal hygiene 12.0 45.3 42.7
20 Noise 42.7 52.0 5.3
21 Poor diet 20.0 64.0 16.0
22 Emotional status 14.7 70.7 14.7
23 Over work 2.7 61.3 36.0
24 Ageing 8 49.3 41.3
25 Immunity 10.7 33 44 44.0
26 Family problem 13.3 52 33.3
27 Hereditary 28.0 46.7 25.0

Table 5: Association between perceived health & illness and selected variables
SI.No Category Average High c2 P value
Perception Perception
1 Age in years
25-40 6 46
41-60 6 16 2.97 .22
>60 0 1
2 Gender
Male 4 21 1 .63
Female 8 42
3 Religion
Hindu 12 56
Muslim 0 6 2.57 .27
Christian 0 1
4 Marital status
Married 12 55 2.96 .23
Unmarried 0 8
5 Educational status
Primary (>5th std) 7 31
Primary (5th to 7th Std) 5 20 4.62 .099
secondary 0 12
6. Type of family
Nuclear 8 34
Joint 34 28 .739 .390
extended 0 1
7 Employment status
Agriculturist/tailoring 6 6 .763 .519
House wife/coolie 40 23
8 Income of the family per month in rupees
< 2500 7 42 .305 .742
2501-5000 5 21

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