A person ‘s definition and perception of health & illness is dependent on the cultural practice. All culture have system of health beliefs to explain what cause illness ,how it can be cured or treated and who should be involved in the process A person ‘s definition and perception of health & illness is dependent on the cultural practice. All culture have system of health beliefs to explain what cause illness ,how it can be cured or treated and who should be involved in the process' . Culture belief related to cause of illness / Concept of etiology or cure . CONCEPT OF ETIOLOGY AND CURE . SUPERNATURAL . PHYSICAL . Leprosy and tuberculosis occurs as a result of past sin. Hysteria & epilepsy are regarded as a result of spirit or ghost enter into the body, Excorcism us practiced to drive away the evil sprit or ghost Childhood disorder are considered to be effect of evil eyes ,charms and amulets are prescribed and chants by the exorcist. Diarrhoea and dysentery are believed to be caused due to dislocation of the umbilicus . It is seen the tradition beliefs passed by Family elders have greater impact on young minds rather than modern forces as some educated persons also hold such belief. It is seen the tradition beliefs passed by Family elders have greater impact on young minds rather than modern forces as some educated persons also hold such belief. It is seen the tradition beliefs passed by Family elders have greater impact on young minds rather than modern forces as some educated persons also hold such belief. It is seen the tradition beliefs passed by Family elders have greater impact on young minds rather than modern forces as some educated persons also hold such belief. Heat stroke is considered as effect of weather ,oil and ghee are applied on the soles of feet to seek relief from symptoms. Skin disease ( scabies, acne) are considered to be due to impure if blood,eating or applying neem leaves purified the blood . A central belief of individual is the doctrine of karma, the law of cause and effect In India marriage is universal and a family is considered incomplete without children, there is a great pressure to produce children, give mire preferences to male child. Girl child to discriminated in nutrition, health care leading to stunted growth. some cultural practice throw light on the cultural preferences for male discrimination, women are Under pressure to produce male child and those who have girl child are criticized and blamed leading to depression. There are many Women committed suicide due to ill treatment by in-laws and husband. some cultural practice throw light on the cultural preferences for male discrimination, women are Under pressure to produce male child and those who have girl child are criticized and blamed leading to depression. There are many Women committed suicide due to ill treatment by in-laws and husband. In rural areas less preferences of institutional delivery they prefer deliveries at home by untrained Dais

1. Ms. Pooja Sen
M.Sc Nursing ( Psychiatric )

2. A person ‘s definition and perception of health &
illness is dependent on the cultural practice. All
culture have system of health beliefs to explain
what cause illness ,how it can be cured or treated
and who should be involved in the process.

3. Culture is deeply involved in matters of personal
hygiene, nutrition, immunization, seeking early
medical care, family planning –in short, the
whole way of life. Different cultures are there in
different societies which may or may not have
positive effects on health.
Indian cultural factors on health can be described
under following headings.

4. 1. Culture belief related to cause of illness
/ Concept of etiology or cure

5. 1. CONCEPT OF ETIOLOGY AND CURE
B. PHYSICAL
A. SUPERNATURAL

6. A. SUPERNATURAL CAUSES
• Small pox and chicken pox are considered as wrath
of “Shitlamata” hence administration of medication
is considered harmful.
• Venerable disease are believed to occur due to
sexual contact with women low caste or women
during menstruation.

7. A. SUPERNATURAL CAUSES
• Leprosy and tuberculosis occurs as a result of past sin.
• Hysteria & epilepsy are regarded as a result of spirit
or ghost enter into the body, Excorcism us practiced to
drive away the evil sprit or ghost .

8. A. SUPERNATURAL CAUSES
• Childhood disorder are considered to be effect of evil
eyes ,charms and amulets are prescribed and chants
by the exorcist.
• Diarrhoea and dysentery are believed to be caused due
to dislocation of the umbilicus .

9. A. SUPERNATURAL CAUSES
It is seen the tradition
beliefs passed by Family
elders have greater impact
on young minds rather than
modern forces as some
educated persons also hold
such belief.

10. • Heat stroke is considered as effect of weather ,oil and
ghee are applied on the soles of feet to seek relief
from symptoms.
• Skin disease ( scabies, acne) are considered to be due
to impure if blood,eating or applying neem leaves
purified the blood .
• A central belief of individual is the doctrine of
karma, the law of cause and effect.
B. PHYSICAL

11. 2. Cultural aspects related to women and
children ‘s health

12. • In India marriage is universal and a family is
considered incomplete without children, there is a
great pressure to produce children, give mire
preferences to male child.
• Girl child to discriminated in nutrition, health care
leading to stunted growth.

13. • some cultural practice throw
light on the cultural preferences
for male discrimination, women
are Under pressure to produce
male child and those who have
girl child are criticized and
blamed leading to depression.
There are many Women
committed suicide due to ill
treatment by in-laws and
husband.

15. • In rural areas less preferences of institutional delivery
they prefer deliveries at home by untrained Dais ,and
they don’t used sterile method, it is also found that
Cow dung applied that the umbilical cord if infant
after birth it’s harmful for infants health.
• No breast feed during first 3
days because colostrum might
be harmful ,instead the child
give water or sugar solution and
Honey.

16. • Applying kajal or surma in infants eyes it’s leads to
eye infection .
• Some practice which are good for mother and child
such as prolonged breast feed ( it’s work as a natural
contraceptive) massage along with exposure to sun .

17. 3. Cultural aspects related to food and
habits

18. • Some foods are prohibited during pregnancy, such as
papaya & banana, even through these fruits are
nutritious.
• The practice of vegetarian or non vegetarian are
closely associated with status of religion.

19. • People of Jain religion or some other culture do not
consume garlic or onion.
• Fasting is widely practiced by many cultures, Muslims
fast during ramzan & Hindus fast many festivals.

20. • Women eat after serving food to the whole family.
Often it is seen that they eat only whatever is left .
• In villages common habits of eating Bajara roti with
tea ,this combination reduce the absorption of iron
which is present in Bajara.

21. • Custom is the sharing “Hookah” in social gatherings
by the adult male or female ,which may increase the
chances of tuberculosis or other respiratory
disorders.
• Infant give honey or water birth.

22. 4. Cultural environmental sanitation and
personal hygiene
• The practice of defecation in the open is still
prevalent in the rural areas & slums now it’s ratio
reduce after swachh Bharat mission was launched
in oct. 2014 .
• Cultural practice that dumping waste outside of
house where mosquito and flies breed. Which
causes Malaria and dengue.

23. • Water is still associated with cause of diarrhoea &
other GI disease. People use river water to bath
themselves, their animals, wash clothes and use the
same water for drinking purpose
• Some rivers such as Ganga are considered holy &
people bathe & drink that water. Water of Ganga has
been found to be unsuitable even for bathing due to
large number of bacteria and toxins.

24. • Some practice in rural areas are harmful for health
such as shaving which is done by local barber called
the “nai” the Nai use to same “ustara” ( instrument for
shaving) for every one with out sterilizing it us
extremely dangerous as it spread disease including
AIDS

25. 5. Cultural practice and belief related to
Marriage & Sex
Many cultural practice & belief regarding marriage
and sex have impact on the health of individual.
• There is a belief among some communities that
sexually transmitted diseases are caused by sexual
contact with lower caste women.

26. • Many communities do not use
family planning method because
they believe that children are a gift
of God .
• Customs of child marriage still
continuing in some part of country
often lead to early pregnancy and
childbirth ,which is harmful for
women’ s health.

27. • Marriage among cousin or blood
relatives is common among in some
communities and research suggests
that children born out such
marriage have a higher incidence of
physical or mental disorders.
• Some religion do not accept
abortion even mother suffer from
physical or mental condition.

28. • Somatization and emotional problems are common
in society where people avoid expressing
psychological complaints.
• Eating disorders are common in urban areas.