Economic Influence on Pediatric Health Care in a Medically Pluralistic Society: An Ethnographic Study among the Asante people of Ghana

Authors

Kevin Gamett, Brigham Young University
Dr. Randy Val Johnson, Brigham Young University
Dr. William Carl, Brigham Young University

Keywords

economic influence, pediatric health care, pluralistic society, ethnographic study, Asante, Ghana

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Anthropology

Abstract

There are many factors that influence decisions regarding medical care, including financial, situational, and ideological issues. Families may choose to avoid modern health care facilities because of the costs associated with hospital stays, treatment regimes, transportation, and lost time. Long waiting times, disrespectful treatment from doctors and nurses, and family obligations are also qualitative issues that contribute to the eschewing of modern medicine. Other families choose to go to hospitals and health clinics because they believe that medicines are the ultimate source of healing, following the western paradigms set by principles of physiology, anatomy, chemistry, and internal medicine. In questions of pediatric health care decisions, this modern paradigm is commonly accepted.

Recommended Citation

Gamett, Kevin; Johnson, Dr. Randy Val; and Carl, Dr. William (2013) "Economic Influence on Pediatric Health Care in a Medically Pluralistic Society: An Ethnographic Study among the Asante people of Ghana," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 99.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/99