Social Psychology and Anthropology in Public Health Practice - Assignment Example

? M3: Social Psychology and Anthropology in Public Health Practice Alexander Heatrice, DDS A.T. Still HMP856 Based Healthcare Shannon Wills, Ph.D. April 3, 2012 Social Psychology and Anthropology in Public Health Practice The concepts of social psychology and anthropology provide the frameworks that help ensure that public health practitioners provide culturally relevant services to the community they serve. They help public health practitioners develop and implement effective programs that target specific populations. Therefore understanding these concepts is extremely important for public health practitioners. Social Psychology Social psychology is the “scientific study of how people think about, influence, and relate to one another” (Myers, 2006, p. 4). It bridges the gap between psychology and sociology and examines human behavior as the result of interaction between the mental states and immediate social situations. It underscores the fact that beliefs, attitudes, and practices endorsed by a group to which an individual belongs determine their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors even when they are away from other group members. Some of the major concepts of social psychology include group behavior, social perception, leadership, non-verbal behavior, conformity, aggression, and prejudice. All of these concepts are especially important when it comes to public health practice. Example One example of social psychology impacting public health practice is in the area of stigma and prejudices. This can be seen prominently in developing countries like India, where there is tremendous stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. The disease is primarily spread through heterosexual contact and is prevalent among prostitutes and injecting drug users. The disease is also prevalent among homosexuals. Stigma and discrimination make it extremely difficult for individuals belonging to these vulnerable groups to access healthcare, even if they actively seek it. Studies have revealed that prostitutes rarely use condoms or other protective measures and are at high risk of infection. Similarly, homosexuality is highly stigmatized and not openly talked about. Due to the stigma associated with the homosexual population, it has also been very difficult to survey this group. Officials at the Department of AIDS Control (2010) fear that the prevalence rates are higher than what is recorded in the official records. Initially, public health practitioners found it very challenging to create awareness about the disease and educate this population about taking preventive measures and seeking early treatment. However, more recently, they have been able to develop a best practice model which involves training prostitutes and homosexuals about sexually transmitted diseases like HIV so that they can educate their peers about the importance of having safe sex. This strategy was implemented in the city of Kolkata in India and is credited with reducing the prevalence rate of HIV among prostitutes from 11% in 2001 to less than 4% in 2004 (UNAIDS, 2005). Considering these social factors helped public health practitioners develop targeted programs for this population. Anthropology Anthropology is defined as “the scientific study of the origin, the behavior, and the physical, social, and cultural development of humans” (Molik, 2012, para 1). It is a broad science dealing with the relationship of individuals in and to the society. Some of the major concepts of anthropology include social organization, cultural beliefs, and practices. All of these concepts are especially important when it comes to public health practice. Cultural and social boundaries have often been found to separate public health practitioners from the people they serve. Understanding the concepts of anthropology is helpful in designing socially effective programs. Awareness of anthropological concepts and methods are therefore helpful to understand and resolve diverse public health problems. Example One example where anthropology impacts public health practice is in the area of common beliefs and cultural practices. This can be seen in the Philippines where farmers have been at risk of pesticide poisoning as they do not take adequate protection when using pesticides. They believe that they are immune or not susceptible to pesticides because “their blood is strong or their blood can take pesticides” (Palis, Flor, Warburton & Hossain, 2006, p. 45). In addition to this belief, their practices of using pesticides are very risky. For example, they usually use pesticides that have been classified as highly hazardous by the World Health Organization. These concentrated liquid pesticides or soluble powder formulations are mixed with water and then poured into the sprayer in a manner that increases the risk of spilling and physical contact (Palis, Flor, Warburton & Hossain, 2006). Again, the farmers typically spray these pesticides in the direction they walk thereby exposing themselves to a cloud of spray. They sometimes wear long pants and long sleeve shirts and tie a handkerchief around their nose and mouth (Palis, Flor, Warburton & Hossain, 2006). Farmers also believe that the pesticides are more medicinal than poisonous. These practices have been found to be inadequate to protect them from pesticide poisoning. Following these findings, public health workers have been able to educate these farmers about the risk of acute and chronic pesticide poisoning and the importance of using personal protective equipment. Another important aspect that public health providers had to keep in mind was their choice of words when educating the farmers about the pesticides. As part of their promotion programs, chemical companies frequently used the word “gamut” (medicines) when they referred to pesticides (Palis, Flor, Warburton & Hossain, 2006). Health educators therefore began using the word “lason” (poison) and not “gamut” when they refer to pesticides (Palis, Flor, Warburton & Hossain, 2006). The health education programs are therefore based on relevant information that explicitly takes into account the beliefs and perceptions of farmers regarding pesticides and specific details of how pesticides can enter their body and ways in which they can minimize their exposure. In conclusion, understanding the concept of social psychology and anthropology is extremely important for public health practitioners. The examples of HIV/AIDS program in India and the pesticide education in the Philippines clearly demonstrate the importance of these concepts in public health practice. ? Reference Department of AIDS Control. (2010). Annual report 2009 – 2010. National AIDS Control Organization. Retrieved from http://www.nacoonline.org/upload/AR%202009-10/NACO_AR_English%20corrected.pdf Molik, N. (2012). A forensic anthropology activity. Augusta Technical College. Retrieved from http://www.augustatech.edu/math/molik/anthropology.pdf Myers, D. G. (2006). Social psychology. New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill. Palis, F. G., Flor, R. J., Warburton, H., & Hossain, M. (2006). Our farmers at risk: Behavior and belief system in pesticide safety. Journal of Public Health, 28(1), 43-48. UNAIDS. (2005). AIDS epidemic update: December 2005. Joint United National Program on HIV/AIDS. Retrieved from http://www.unaids.org/epi/2005/ Read More