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MA/PhD Theses Abstracts of Current Students & Alumni |
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Salazar, Diego Rojas, March 1993 - FOLK MODELS AND HOUSEHOLD ECOLOGY OF DENGUE FEVER IN AN URBAN COMMUNITY OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Abstract: This dissertation documents, within the context of ethnoecology, the folk models and the ethnoecological conditions of dengue and the dengue vector in a poor settlement of the Dominican Republic. It compares the Dominican folk models of dengue fever with folk models from two populations in Mexico. Data were collected using multiple methods, combining ethnographic techniques with a small scale survey. The ethnographic work encompassed direct observation, in-depth interviewing, and key informant use. The small scale survey, collected quantitative sociodemographic data. Three main folk models of dengue fever were found: (1) a flu-like model (2) a typhus-like model (3) a combination of the above. The existence of these models was corroborated by the results of both the ethnographic and survey research. Both the ethnography and the survey show each of the folk models to be highly influenced by the biomedical model spread by the media. The ethnographic work suggests that the folk model of dengue is imbued with an ethno-ecological perspective that leads people to expect dengue-related actions to be taken by state agencies called "the authorities," rather than by private individuals, families, or communities. Although a significant proportion of the Dominican respondents recognize mosquitoes as vectors of dengue, the general attitude is that these insects are a nuisance, but do not constitute a health risk. Source control is rare at the level of the home. The comparison between the Dominican and Mexican folk models of dengue reveals important similarities which may point to similar experiences with dengue for populations in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. The conclusions and recommendations highlight the importance of ascertaining folk models and ethnoecologic conditions in order to design effective and culturally relevant preventive interventions.
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