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MA/PhD Theses Abstracts of Current Students & Alumni |
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Brown, Christopher A., May, 1992 - ADDRESSING THE HEALTH PROBLEMS IN URBAN AREAS OF THE DEVELOPING WORLD WITH A SPECIAL LOOK AT HEALTH CARE DELIVERY AND EDUCATION IN THE WORKPLACE
Abstract: The urban poor who live in the cities of the Third World lack the basic services necessary for adequate health, e.g.. water and sanitation. There exists a need to provide health care services and education to these populations. Little is known about their circumstances, e.g.. health status, and their social organization. This thesis provides information on the problems faced by these urban poor, information concerning their social organization, and discusses the implications of that social organization for urban health interventions. In addition, the Third World workplace is examined in order that an understanding can be gained as to the utility of using the workplace as a way to provide health care and education messages to urban populations. This thesis is the result of over six months of intensive research including interviews with urban health practitioners. The findings point to a dearth of information on the health status of urban poor populations and the variables, e.g., intraurban mobility, that affect their health. To date. urban health initiatives can be characterized as taking a "top-down" approach, instead of involving the target population in the provision of health care and delivery of health education messages. The workplace can profitably be seen as a microcosm of the problems in urban areas. There is a lack of information on the health status of workers and the variables, e.g., the workplace environment, that affect their health. The health of workers has been separated from primary health care (PHC) which targets urban populations for health care delivery and health education. More research is needed in all areas of urban health in the developing world. Urban health planners must expand their focus from the individual to include studies of the social organization of the urban poor in order that successful, sustainable interventions may be designed. The same can be said for the workplace which is an effective medium through which health care can be delivered and through which health education messages can be disseminated.
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