Abuja, Sept 12 (IPS) – Latest research Posted A study published in the Journal Communications Medicine looked at how people of different income levels and urban and rural backgrounds in eight countries—Brazil, China, Germany, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Nigeria and the United States—viewed factors that affect their health.
People with higher incomes are more likely to think that genetics is the most important factor in health, while those with lower incomes are more likely to value social support. On the other hand, urban residents prioritize health care, while those living in rural areas value social support more. This information can influence public health messages.
In fact, this study shows that the three most important perspectives for improving health care are social support, residence, and genetics.
All of these are important for predicting health disorders and providing quality care. None should be isolated. Genetics can help predict health conditions before birth or years before they occur, some health conditions are more common in certain areas, and lack of social support can worsen the severity of various health conditions.
When creating public health messages about diseases like sickle cell anemia, we must also connect these three perspectives. Here’s why:
genetics
Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder that only affects black people. AS is the genotype for sickle cell trait. It is an inherited disorder, passed down from parents if both parents have the sickle cell gene. A man and woman with the AS genotype have a 25% chance of having a child with sickle cell disease (SS) each time they conceive.
In sickle cell disease, the normally round red blood cells become sickle-shaped. This makes them sticky and difficult to pass through the blood vessels. They can stick together and block blood flow, causing pain, infection, and organ damage. Caring for sickle cell disease warriors is very expensive because of the frequent pain crises and possible hospitalizations.
Public health messages about sickle cell disease should focus on prevention, and keep in mind that it is difficult to appeal to people’s emotions when they are in love. Messages should come from the families who are already caring for the person with sickle cell disease. This is the responsibility of health authorities. However, there is an ecosystem of health advocates who can help.
If a woman with the AS genotype becomes pregnant with a man with the AS genotype, the disease can develop. DiagnosedA portion of the fetus’ amniotic fluid is removed and tested.
This test helps parents prepare for the birth of their child, learn about sickle cell anemia, its complications, how to prevent complications so that the child can live a pain-free life, and the best way to care for the child.
You will also be able to prepare financially for the care of your sickle cell warrior. No matter how heartbreaking it may be, couples who know their genotype sometimes decide to call off their marriage or not have children and instead choose adoption. They need all the information they need to make an informed decision for themselves.
social support
Family members are the primary and most important caregivers of sickle cell disease warriors. They are often not paid for their services. Some people give up their dreams while caring for sickle cell disease warriors, and it also takes a toll on their mental health.
Government and non-profit organizations should pursue policies that support caregivers. These policies should provide financial compensation for caregivers, provide ongoing professional development opportunities for caregivers, and provide paid alternative caregivers to allow family caregivers to take a break.
Other social connections include organizations such as the Nigerian Sickle Cell Foundation and the American Sickle Cell Disease Association. These organizations contribute to fundraising for warrior care, research, policy development, and advocacy. These organizations regularly host public awareness campaigns and work closely with public health authorities and health care providers. Families of sickle cell warriors can contact these organizations by contacting their health care providers and through their websites.
Residence
Sickle cell disease is common in low- and middle-income countries, where poverty is widespread, diagnostic capacity is limited, and access to healthcare is limited, which can lead to more serious complications. Even in high-income countries, poor families bear a disproportionately high burden of sickle cell disease.
no way study In the United States, 98% of people with sickle cell disease are African-American and 42% have a family income close to the federal poverty level. However, people from higher socioeconomic classes also have sickle cell disease. Therefore, the message must be targeted to all people regardless of social class.
Of course, public health messages need to be tailored to the perspectives of different demographics. But we shouldn’t overlook how interconnected they are. Understanding the role of genetics, social connections, and socioeconomic status is essential to designing truly effective messaging strategies. That’s how the findings of this study can benefit everyone.
Dr. Ipheani M. NsoforMBBS, MCommH (Liverpool) is a member of the Global Fellows Advisory Board of the Atlantic Institute, Rhodes Trust and Oxford.
© Inter Press Service (2024) — All rights reservedOriginal Source: Inter Press Service
