Anthropology - Publications

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Browsing Anthropology - Publications by Author "Sharma, B. V."
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    Acceptability of traditional healers as directly observed treatment providers in tuberculosis control in a tribal area of Andhra Pradesh, India
    ( 2004-10-01) Banerjee, A. ; Sharma, B. V. ; Ray, A. ; Kannuri, Nanda Kishore ; Venkateswarlu, T. V.
    SETTING: Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh, India, where 9% of the population is tribal. OBJECTIVE: To 1) examine traditional healers' (THs) diagnostic and treatment practices for tuberculosis (TB); 2) understand health-seeking behaviour for TB amongst tribal groups; 3) evaluate the acceptability of THs to public health workers; and 4) assess how THs can collaborate with the TB Programme METHODS: In-depth interviews with 120 THs, 37 exit interviews and four focus group discussions with TB patients; interviews with eight non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and 38 public health staff. RESULTS: There were 18 THs per 1000 population. Of the 120 THs interviewed, 15 (13%) claimed to be TB specialists. Of the 72 healers aware of TB, 65 (90%) considered prolonged cough an important symptom and 53 (74%) believed that TB could be cured with allopathic drugs. THs felt collaboration was possible by directly observed treatment (DOT) providers (49, 68%), referring symptomatic individuals (54, 75%) and offering treatment for side effects (18, 25%). CONCLUSION: Involvement of THs in the TB Control Programme may improve services as they are a major health service provider in tribal areas and are acceptable as DOT providers to patients, public health providers and NGO workers.
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    Occupational health risks and etiologies among the Jalari community of Northern District of Andhra Pradesh, India
    ( 2018-01-01) Pukkalla, Dalibandhu ; Sharma, B. V.
    The perceived health risks of fishermen in India have not been studied in any satisfactory detail by scholars. The paper examines the occupational risks for fishermen under the categories of a) injuries and fractures due to falls; b) illness/morbidity due to the equipment used; c) musculoskeletal disorders due to the nature of the work; d) morbidity due to the timing of work; e) habits and addictions as part of their work socialization. Further, the stress being experienced by the fisherfolk and the perceived consequences of such stress on their physical and mental health is also not dealt with earlier. This paper examines the aspect of the double burden of increased morbidity and reduced economic returns on the fisherfolk, as well as the consequences of economic stress on the social health of the people in terms of strained relationships with community members both within and outside of the family.
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    What matters in the schooling of tribal girls? A study in Visakhapatnam agency area of Andhra Pradesh
    ( 2016-04-01) Sharma, B. V. ; Pukkalla, Dalibandhu ; Srinivasu, N.