Social Networks and Health: Understanding the Nuances of Healthcare Access between Urban and Rural Populations

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Padmore Adusei AmoahDavid Amuzu

Abstract

Communities and individuals in many sub-Saharan African countries often face limited access to healthcare. Hence, many rely on social networks to enhance their chances for adequate health care. While this knowledge is well-established, little is known about the nuances of how different population groups activate these networks to improve access to healthcare. This paper examines how rural and urban dwellers in the Ashanti Region in Ghana distinctively and systematically activate their social networks to enhance access to healthcare. It uses a qualitative cross-sectional design, with in-depth interviews of 79 primary participants (28 urban and 51 rural residents) in addition to the views of eight community leaders and eight health personnel. It was discovered that both intimate and distanced social networks for healthcare are activated at different periods by rural and urban residents. Four main stages of social networks activation, comprising different individuals and groups were observed among rural and urban dwellers. Among both groups, physical proximity, privacy, trust and sense of fairness, socio-cultural meaning attached to health problems, and perceived knowledge and other resources (mainly money) held in specific networ...Continue Reading

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Citations

May 29, 2020·Circulation Journal : Official Journal of the Japanese Circulation Society·Yasushi MatsuzawaKazuo Kimura
Sep 5, 2019·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Padmore Adusei Amoah
Sep 8, 2018·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Miao CaiWei Li
Jun 19, 2021·The Journal of Rural Health : Official Journal of the American Rural Health Association and the National Rural Health Care Association·Aaron J Kruse-DiehrLynne Chambers
Aug 8, 2021·The International Journal of Health Planning and Management·Robert OpokuKingsley Atta Nyamekye

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