“Siento que me ahogo”: Childhood asthma, medical pluralism and the Mexican frontier

• Main Author: Schwartz, Norah Anita
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-2001
• Subjects: Asthma; Children & youth; Cultural anthropology; Developing countries; LDCs; Public health
• ISBN: 9780493188799; 0493188797

Asthma is one of the most common, yet least understood of all childhood illnesses. However, little ethnographic research has been conducted on this or other potentially fatal chronic illnesses in the developing world. The main objectives of this research project are to (1) identify the cultural processes by which mothers of young children with asthma in Tijuana define, recognize, prevent and treat episodes of childhood asthma, (2) develop an understanding of the existing multiple medical systems as they relate to childhood asthma in Tijuana, Mexico, and (3) gain an understanding of how mothers of low socioeconomic status living close to the United States and Mexico borders make treatment decisions based within social, political and economic contexts. Research questions examine (1) the key differences between “ el asma” as defined by the lay or folk model and “asthma” as defined by the professional model, (2) the role of the local pharmacist and shopkeeper in the diagnosis and treatment of “el asma”, and (3) information and beliefs that are inherent in the distribution and use of asthma medications, including the use of antibiotics. Results compare treatment modalities of pediatric asthma specialists, general physicians, local pharmacists, traditional healers and mothers of children with asthma. Interaction between asthma specialists and families of patients is explored as well; as are the issues of automedication and irrational/inappropriate medication usage, and antibiotic resistance. The theories of medical pluralism and critical medical anthropological theory are used to support the collected data.