Assessing the Impact of Cultural Beliefs on the Use of Evidence-Based Treatment for Diarrhea in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review

Joshi, Rhucha

dc.contributor.author	Joshi, Rhucha
dc.date.accessioned	2018-03-30T23:13:03Z
dc.date.available	2018-03-30T23:13:03Z
dc.date.issued	2018-03-30
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10150/627178
dc.description	A Thesis submitted to The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Medicine.	en
dc.description.abstract	Diarrhea is the fourth leading cause of children under five worldwide. Recommendations for diarrhea treatment include oral rehydration therapy, continued feeding, zinc supplementation, and antibiotic use if indicated. The use of these therapies is lower than expected in developing countries. This study aims to determine how cultural beliefs impact the use of evidence-based approaches for diarrhea treatment, specifically in developing countries. A systematic review of primary research articles was done to assess knowledge of and attitudes towards evidence-based treatments, analyze care-seeking behaviors, and identify beliefs attached to treatment practices. Most cultural beliefs fall into the following themes: misconceptions about evidence-based treatments; feeding practices; home remedies and herbal medicines; inappropriate use of medications; and traditional healers and spiritual beliefs. The results show the possibility for working with traditional healers and the local population to gather more data about beliefs and practices. This information can be used to develop culturally sensitive treatment programs that can operate within the framework of local beliefs and practices.
dc.language.iso	en_US	en
dc.publisher	The University of Arizona.	en_US
dc.rights	Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the College of Medicine - Phoenix, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.	en_US
dc.subject	Systematic Review	en
dc.subject	Diarrhea	en
dc.subject	Child	en
dc.subject	Infant	en
dc.subject.mesh	Diarrhea	en
dc.subject.mesh	Developing Countries	en
dc.subject.mesh	Culture	en
dc.subject.mesh	Review Literature as Topic	en
dc.subject.mesh	Antidiarrheals	en
dc.subject.mesh	Child	en
dc.subject.mesh	Child, Preschool	en
dc.subject.mesh	Infant	en
dc.subject.mesh	Diarrhea, Infantile	en
dc.title	Assessing the Impact of Cultural Beliefs on the Use of Evidence-Based Treatment for Diarrhea in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review	en_US
dc.type	text; Electronic Thesis	en
dc.contributor.department	The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix	en
dc.description.collectioninformation	This item is part of the College of Medicine - Phoenix Scholarly Projects 2018 collection. For more information, contact the Phoenix Biomedical Campus Library at pbc-library@email.arizona.edu.	en_US
dc.contributor.mentor	Connell, Patrick	en
refterms.dateFOA	2018-09-12T07:09:54Z
html.description.abstract	Diarrhea is the fourth leading cause of children under five worldwide. Recommendations for diarrhea treatment include oral rehydration therapy, continued feeding, zinc supplementation, and antibiotic use if indicated. The use of these therapies is lower than expected in developing countries. This study aims to determine how cultural beliefs impact the use of evidence-based approaches for diarrhea treatment, specifically in developing countries. A systematic review of primary research articles was done to assess knowledge of and attitudes towards evidence-based treatments, analyze care-seeking behaviors, and identify beliefs attached to treatment practices. Most cultural beliefs fall into the following themes: misconceptions about evidence-based treatments; feeding practices; home remedies and herbal medicines; inappropriate use of medications; and traditional healers and spiritual beliefs. The results show the possibility for working with traditional healers and the local population to gather more data about beliefs and practices. This information can be used to develop culturally sensitive treatment programs that can operate within the framework of local beliefs and practices.