Doctor-Patient Communication: Cultural Perception and Response To Illness among Maasai in Kajiado
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Date
2010-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Daystar University, School of Communication
Abstract
In as much as communication is difficult among people who are from the same cultural background, communication is even more difficult when the health care provider and the patient come from different social setting such as education or cultures. The purpose of this research was to find out the Maasai cultural perceptions and responses to illnesses and relate the results to medical health care providers. The objectives of the study were to find how the Maasai’s perceived and responded to causes of illnesses from their cultural worldview and to document their conception of the western diagnosis and treatment of illnesses. The study focused on the Maasai community living in two locations of Ngong Divisions of Kajiado North District namely Kitengela and Olekimunke. Data was collected through focus group discussion and one-no-one interviews. The discussion was documented and the key statements, ideas, and attitudes expressed for each topic of discussion. Finally, the findings of the study were organized as per the research questions and the major outcomes reported in narratives. Respondents showed considerable consistence over their cultural perceptions and responses to illnesses focused on three categories namely curses, witchcraft and natural causes. The healthcare providers perceived illnesses to be because of germs, bacteria, viruses and physical injuries and never compromised that notion or appreciated the Maasai worldview in cultural diagnosis and healing which they termed unhygienic. The Maasai insisted that their time immemorial experience must be acknowledged. These findings suggest that communication is a vital ingredient in all forms of health care and that where matters of health are concerned, one must understand patients’ concerns, appreciate their worldviews and medical complaints in order to diagnose, heal and prevent ill
Description
MASTER OF ARTS
In Communication
Keywords
cultural background, healthcare, cultural perceptions, illnesses
Citation
Kathure, K. K. (2010). Doctor-Patient Communication: Cultural Perception and Response To Illness among Maasai in Kajiado. Daystar University, School of Communication