Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Nichter

Publications and source records attributed to M Nichter.

40 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

The semantics of addiction: moving beyond expert models to lay understandings.

Five expert discourses on addiction purport to explain the phenomenon of the semantics of addiction. An assessment of the burgeoning use of this term by the lay public, however, reveals a plethora of socially contextualized and culturally mediated meanings related to addiction that are generally not considered by expert models. Addiction has meanings that index the loss of self-control and individual responsibility, as well political and moral meanings and meanings that index social modes of consumption, the range and limits of normative behavior, and the constitution of deviance. The category of addition interacts with other socially produced categories, including "drugs" and "desires," and implies an unfolding history linked to specific cultural conventions of what is proper. This paper briefly reviews expert debates over the meanings of addiction and explores the semantics of how this term is used in both popular discourse and among those who use substances associated with physical addiction. In addition, some of the more interesting theoretical issues this discussion brings to light are highlighted, with the intent to identify issues warranting future research that will broaden the study of addiction.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Use of social science research to improve epidemiologic studies of and interventions for diarrhea and dysentery.

The significance of dysentery has not been recognized in community-based programs for the management of diarrhea. Culturally sensitive methods of classification and algorithms for treatment of these diseases must be developed. Considered in this article is the manner in which ethnographic studies of diarrhea can contribute to descriptive epidemiologic data on diarrhea and dysentery and to procedures of health education and evaluation of interventions for the diseases. Indigenous terms for bloody diarrhea exist in many cultures. Local use of such terms must be carefully examined before they are incorporated in health education efforts and epidemiologic surveillance programs.

Culture↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Antibiotic prophylaxis among commercial sex workers in Cebu City, Philippines. Patterns of use and perceptions of efficacy.

BACKGROUND: This study describes the extent to which commercial sex workers (CSW) in Cebu City, Philippines perceive prophylactic antibiotic use to be an effective form of prevention for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), as well as the prevalence of this self-treatment practice. METHODS: A survey instrument was developed and pretested after 3 months of intensive ethnographic research on STD and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). A multistage sampling procedure was followed to ensure that a representative sample of CSW from four distinct work environments would be interviewed. Commercial sex workers registered at the Cebu City social hygiene clinic were sampled randomly from coded work establishment lists, and a convenience sample of unregistered freelance CSW was secured. In total, 200 CSW were interviewed. Of these 200 CSW, all were sexually active, but only 160 had been engaged actively in commercial sexual exchange the month before their interviews. RESULTS: Popular use of antibiotics as prophylaxis against STD is commonplace in the Philippines among CSW, with 38% reporting routine or occasional use and 31% reporting use in the last 2 weeks. Unregistered CSW are five times more likely to use prophylactic antibiotics than registered CSW, and they are seven times less likely to use condoms with 80% or more of their customers. They also have sex with three times as many customers. CONCLUSIONS: Use of prophylactic antibiotics by CSW offers them a false sense of security in a high-risk work environment. Self-treatment with low-dose prophylactic antibiotics provides no protection against STD, impedes STD screening efforts, and contributes to antibiotic resistance. An alarming percentage of CSW consider antibiotics a potential means of protecting themselves against AIDS. Public health interventions focusing on STD and AIDS in developing countries must address current patterns of prophylactic antibiotic use.

Adolescent↗