Paper short abstract:

This paper, using an ethno-linguistic analyses, highlighting patterns in intergenerational and gendered constructions, systematically shows how the conceptualisations of health and ill-health influences patients health-seeking behaviours and the treatment regimen from the biomedical health providers

Paper long abstract:

In Africa, the huge gaps between biomedical models and cultural constructions of health and ill-health have been a source of interest for researchers (Helman 2000). Modern biomedicine stresses on physiological manifestations of health and ill-health. The complexity of human illness however requires holistic approaches to understanding how societies construct health and ill-health. Such studies in mainstream humanities are rare in Africa resulting in huge intellectual gaps in our understanding of every day constructions of disease, illness and health. This poses a great challenge in achieving the goal of health for all, since it requires the full participation of individuals and families in the community in order to make health services acceptable and accessible.

This paper, using an ethno-linguistic analyses comprising the systemic collection and analyses of ethnic terminologies, coinages, phrases and words among the Ga, Ashanti, and Kasena, highlighting patterns in intergenerational and gendered constructions, systematically shows how the conceptualisations of health and ill-health influences patients health-seeking behaviours and the treatment regimen from the biomedical health providers.

The data, spanning a period of before and after Alma Ata, is drawn from a larger study that elicited information from about 80 individuals each (between 18 and 75 years) from the three ethnic groups, using interviews and focus group discussions.

The study calls for a greater attention to be given to the cultural context and the so called subjective explanations of health phenomena as it key to achieving universal health coverage.