Health and Culture Assignment
1. What is Chagas disease? How is it transmitted? Where is it found? What are the symptoms of Chagas disease?
Chagas disease is a disease caused by a Trypanosome cruzi parasite. This particular parasite feeds on the blood and lymph on the animal it infects from the triatomine bug (vinchucas) bite. The triatomine bug usually hides in the walls and appear at night feeding on the flesh of the natives while they sleep. The disease is primarily found in the Argentina region. The symptoms of Chagas disease include rashes, fever, and body aches like most diseases found in tropical regions. However, Chagas disease has a chronic phase with symptoms such as: congestive heart failure, cardiac arrest and enlarged organs. Insecticides and blood test transmission can prevent the spread of the disease. One way locals have tried to resolve the Chagas disease outbreak is by recruiting aboriginal men and women to help as health workers.
2. Discuss Pilaga and Wichi traditional beliefs about disease causation and treatment. Do these …show more content…
The Pilaga group believes in coexisting of their oracle beliefs and the idea of western medicine. The Wichi group is still not truly in favor of the western medicine idea. Indigenous healers have decreased within the population has increasingly weakened, but the community supports a shamanic movement. The language issue hinders a cultural understanding of the different disease. Since the western health officials ignore the beliefs and customs of the groups. The conflictive arrangement between the health providers and the people of the community weakens the prevention of the Chagas disease. It is believed that in order to create a healthier community, “A more open and respectful treatment of indigenous patients might be a key factor to reach greater levels of health equity”
1. What is Chagas disease? How is it transmitted? Where is it found? What are the symptoms of Chagas disease?
Chagas disease is a disease caused by a Trypanosome cruzi parasite. This particular parasite feeds on the blood and lymph on the animal it infects from the triatomine bug (vinchucas) bite. The triatomine bug usually hides in the walls and appear at night feeding on the flesh of the natives while they sleep. The disease is primarily found in the Argentina region. The symptoms of Chagas disease include rashes, fever, and body aches like most diseases found in tropical regions. However, Chagas disease has a chronic phase with symptoms such as: congestive heart failure, cardiac arrest and enlarged organs. Insecticides and blood test transmission can prevent the spread of the disease. One way locals have tried to resolve the Chagas disease outbreak is by recruiting aboriginal men and women to help as health workers.
2. Discuss Pilaga and Wichi traditional beliefs about disease causation and treatment. Do these …show more content…
The Pilaga group believes in coexisting of their oracle beliefs and the idea of western medicine. The Wichi group is still not truly in favor of the western medicine idea. Indigenous healers have decreased within the population has increasingly weakened, but the community supports a shamanic movement. The language issue hinders a cultural understanding of the different disease. Since the western health officials ignore the beliefs and customs of the groups. The conflictive arrangement between the health providers and the people of the community weakens the prevention of the Chagas disease. It is believed that in order to create a healthier community, “A more open and respectful treatment of indigenous patients might be a key factor to reach greater levels of health equity”