Technological inventions and development in global
health are capable and very likely to grab the head lines- and in fact do
constitute a main element a main element in many of these cases. Basic
behavioural change is a prominent feature in a surprising number of instances.
In the control of guinea worm in Africa for
instance, families learned to filter their water with utmost care and precision
in the fight against deaths from dehydrating diarrheal disease of infants and
little children. Mothers in Bangladesh and Egypt learnt how to mix a simple
salt-and –sugar solution and even taught their grown up girls.
Also in Poland and South Africa, low standing
patterns of cigarette consumption have been on the low through a combination of
legal measures, taxation and communication efforts. In Nigeria which recorded a
huge success in the fight against the deadly Ebola virus: there were notable
behavioural changes, where people practiced regular hand washing, the use of
hand sanitizers were rampant, body and hand contacts were minimized. These
precautionary measures and behavioural changes were put in place to avoid its
spread and that worked.
Behavioral change is a central objective of Public
Health intervention with an increased focus on prevention prior to the onset of
the disease.
Behavioral changes play a very crucial part in the
fight and eradication of diseases. This is good news in light of all the health
challenges that now face us: a very few which can be tacked by technology
alone.
Reference
Ruth Levine et al:
Case Studies in Global Health; Millions Saved 2007
Uc-Okonmah
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