Coping with a nutrient deficiency: cultural models of vitamin A deficiency in northern Niger

Medical Anthropology
Lauren S BlumPertti J Pelto

Abstract

Cultural explanations and management strategies for specific signs and symptoms of vitamin A deficiency are explored in a Hausa-speaking community in northern Niger. Their interpretations of the etiology of nightblindness in young children and pregnant women focus on food-related causes, in which "lack of good food" is central. In parallel with the significance of food in the etiology of nightblindness, the recommended treatments are home food remedies, primarily involving liver, meat, or green leaves. The locally attributed etiology for the more severe manifestation of vitamin A deficiency, xerophthalmia, stands in sharp contrast to this. People believe the primary cause is "heat" produced by acute infectious disease (particularly measles). A trip to the medical dispensary or a reliance upon home remedies are the preferred treatment options for this condition. We explore the striking correspondence between local interpretations of nightblindness and contemporary medical knowledge and treatment in relation to the very different explanations and curative measures offered for more serious manifestations of vitamin A deficiency.

References

Jul 1, 1992·Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·A Foster, D Yorston
Jul 19, 1990·The New England Journal of Medicine·G D Hussey, M Klein
Jan 1, 1990·Social Science & Medicine·M Lepowsky
Jan 1, 1988·Social Science & Medicine·C Dillon-Malone
Aug 1, 1995·The Journal of Nutrition·J KatzA Sommer
Mar 1, 1994·Social Science & Medicine·C Mattingly, L C Garro
Mar 1, 1994·Social Science & Medicine·P Farmer
Aug 1, 1993·International Journal of Epidemiology·J KatzA Sommer
Jan 1, 1989·American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council·Katherine A Dettwyler

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

May 11, 2006·Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics : the Journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists)·Axel Petzold, Gordon T Plant
Dec 17, 2008·Journal of Perinatology : Official Journal of the California Perinatal Association·G L DarmstadtUNKNOWN Saksham Study Group
Mar 29, 2011·Maternal & Child Nutrition·Sara E Wuehler, Abdoulazize Biga Hassoumi
Apr 16, 2009·Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine·Subramanyam Ragupathy, Steven G Newmaster

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

Filili

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.