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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Perceptions of Disease, Illness and Health Care among Working and Middle Class Residents in Port Elizabeth |
Authors: | Booyens, Johan Cloete, Janine Venter, Danie |
Year: | 1998 |
Periodical: | South African Journal of Ethnology |
Volume: | 21 |
Issue: | 4 |
Pages: | 153-164 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | South Africa |
Subjects: | attitudes public health Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Urbanization and Migration Health and Nutrition |
Abstract: | In 1997 a small survey on perceptions of illness and health was carried out in Forest Hill, a white working-class suburb, and Humewood, a white middle-class suburb, both situated in close geographic proximity in the city of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Structured personal interviews were used to gather data on respondents' views on the meaning of illness, different kinds of illness, the efficacy of medical experts, the difference between serious and less serious illnesses, diseases associated with children, causes of illness, and health maintaining behaviour. Data were also gathered on how the respondents obtained their knowledge regarding health and illness issues, how local health services could be improved, and on the role of the government in providing health care. Analysis of the data shows that similarities between the perceptions of middle and working-class people were common in relation to childhood diseases, the difference between serious and less serious diseases and health maintaining behaviour. Differences between the two suburbs were evident when considering the sources of knowledge, the causes of childhood illnesses, and the distinction between various kinds of illnesses. Middle-class residents were also found to be more critical concerning the efficiency of the formal health sector and more receptive to informal health practices. Bibliogr., sum. in Afrikaans and English. |