Access to Health - Essay Example

Due: ACCESS TO HEALTH Primary research involves collecting original information directly from the source, informationthat already does not exist e.g. from potential customers. A researcher can compile this information or hire someone else to gather it through surveys, focus groups and other methods. Primary research explains exactly what the researcher did in the study or experiment. According to Leavitt (2000), primary research is useful for questions that can be answered through asking others and direct observations. Primary research is conducted through interviews, surveys, observations, questionnaires, telephone interviews or focus groups. However, since the research is original, the results gathered will be more relevant to the needs of the client. Primary research is used in analyzing customers, competitors, distribution channels, and suppliers. It’s a useful tool in answering questions with a high degree of qualitative clarity. Basic types of primary research include qualitative and quantitative research. Secondary research involves synthesis or summary of existing research. Secondary research includes published research reports in a library, surveys or the internet. Sources of secondary data include previous research reports, newspaper, magazine and journal contents, government and NGO, and press articles. Secondary research is the most commonly used research. In qualitative research, variables are observed in their natural settings in which they are found. Data collection is either through direct observation or open-ended questions. The interviewer or observer is an integral part of the investigation. Qualitative research aims to get a better understanding through firsthand experience, truthful reporting, and quotations of actual conversations. It aims to understand how the participants derive meaning from the surroundings, and how their meaning influences their behavior. Findings in qualitative research are not conclusive and cannot be used to make generalizations about the population of interest. The purposes of qualitative research are; To gain an understanding of underlying reasons and motivations To provide insights into the setting of a problem, generating ideas and/or hypotheses for later quantitative research To uncover prevalent trends in thought and opinion According to Aliaga and Gunderson (2002), quantitative research is explaining phenomena by collecting numerical data that are analyzed using mathematically based methods. The behavior of the variables is observed under controlled conditions; isolate causal effects. The findings in quantitative research are used to recommend a final course of action. The purposes of quantitative research are; To quantify data and generalize results from a sample to the population of interest To measure the incidence of various views and opinions in a chosen sample Sometimes followed by qualitative research which is used to explore some findings further. Lay referral network is an informal network of family and friends who help an individual interpret and treat a disorder before the individual seeks formal medical treatment. People beliefs, theories and knowledge influence someone on their perceptions and presentation of health and disease. All people are social beings, and unless someone is isolated from other people, we tend to share our symptoms with another person. According to Russell (2009), the social networks through which a person passes through before seeking professional advice are referred to as lay referral networks. They consist of any advice or treatment given by relatives, friends, neighbors or colleagues. Particular people who are experienced in a specific illness, have experience raising children or retired health professionals, stand out prominently in giving advice. The outcome of lay referral will largely depend on the beliefs, attitudes, resources and access to formal health care of the individual with symptoms and the other network members. If the network has beliefs and circumstances that are not coinciding with those of doctors, then uptake of medical services maybe relatively low. Kinship networks appear to be more likely to encourage consultations than friendship networks. The distinction between lay and professional understandings of an area of professional practice makes sense in many areas besides the medical arena. It has been observed that how a young mother treats her baby depend much on her own mother influences, her friends and other relatives. There is vast amount of knowledge about everything out there nowadays. The family without doubt is one of the most important contexts for the maintenance of health and occurrence and treatment of illness. Breastfeeding is universally endorsed by the world’s health and scientific organizations as the best way of feeding infants. Popper ( 2004) said that the best infant and young child feeding practices are defined internationally as early and exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, then continuation of breastfeeding while adding age appropriate complementary foods for two years or more. The prevalence and duration of breastfeeding have declined in many parts of the world for a variety of social, economic and cultural reasons. With the introduction of modern technologies and the adoption of new lifestyles, the importance attached to this traditional practice has been noticeably reduced in many societies. The evidence is clear that breastfeeding provides immediate and lifelong nutrition and health benefits for both mother and child, as well as larger economic, environmental and social benefits to families and communities. Breastfeeding must be considered the standard for infant feeding in the first year of life or longer. Mothers and infants should remain together 24 hours a day. Breastfeeding should be on demand i.e. no breastfeeding infant should be given artificial teats or pacifiers. Mothers around the world, especially first time mothers, come up together to form self-help groups. Mothers are encouraged to be in a breastfeeding support group for support during this crucial time in their lives. These groups for mothers is based on mutual aid, support and lobbying. They provide advice about how to best take care of their babies, the family and themselves. They are sure to consult other experienced mothers as well as professional advice. Much on whether they breast feed their babies is also influenced on their formed perceptions as they grow up.. Conclusion For breastfeeding to be successfully initiated and established, during pregnancy and following birth, mothers need the active support of their families and communities and also of the entire health system. The influence of the two systems on breastfeeding can neither be undermined nor ignored. But considering the significance of professional advice on women to breastfeed, it is more significant than the lay referral network. Works Cited Russell, A. (2009) The Social Basis of Medicine: An Introduction, Hallam Street, London. Leavitt, Fred. (2000) Evaluating Scientific Research: Separating Fact from fiction. Lebanon, Indiana, U.S.A: Prentice Hall. Aliaga, G. and Gunderson, Y. (2002) standardized survey interviewing, Irwin Sydney. Popper, B. ( 2004) The Logic of Scientific Discovery, Vanderbilt Avenue, New York. Read More