학술논문
A Rapid Ethnographic Assessment of Cultural and Social Perceptions and Practices About COVID-19 in Bangladesh: What the Policy Makers and Program Planners Should Know.
Document Type
Article
Author
Source
Subject
*CULTURE
*COVID-19
*INTERVIEWING
*HUMAN services programs
*POVERTY areas
*ETHNOLOGY research
*HEALTH attitudes
*RESEARCH funding
*SOCIAL attitudes
*POLICY sciences
*THEMATIC analysis
*DATA analysis software
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Language
ISSN
1049-7323
Abstract
Anthropological literature on health beliefs and practices related to COVID-19 is scarce, particularly in low and middle-income countries. We conducted a qualitative research on perceptions of COVID-19 among slum residents of Dhaka, Bangladesh from November 2020 through January, 2021. Methods included in-depth interviews and photo elicitation with community residents. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed thematically. Results show scientific explanations of COVID-19 conflicted with interviewees' cultural and spiritual beliefs such as: coronavirus is a disease of rich, sinful people; the virus is a curse from Allah to punish sinners. Interviewees rejected going to hospitals in favor of home remedies, and eschewed measures such as mask-wearing or social distancing instead preferring to follow local beliefs. We have highlighted a gap between community beliefs about the pandemic and science-led interventions proposed by health professionals. For public health policy to be more effective it requires a deeper understanding of and response to community perceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]