Abstract

SCHWARTZ, Norah. Medical Compliance and Childhood Asthma on the Mexican Border: "They Think You Are God". Frontera norte [online]. 2002, vol.14, n.27, pp.155-179. ISSN 2594-0260.

Often chronic and potentially life threatening, asthma is one of the most common of all childhood illnesses. It is a known risk factor tor pneumonia, as well as tor other acute respiratory infections (ARI). ARIs have become a major focus of study for medical anthropologists. However, little ethnographic research has been conducted on the treatment of chronic childhood respiratory illness. Because of the worldwide increase in antibiotic resistance, understanding how and why treatment choices are made is imperative. This research focuses on life experiences and treatment strategies of mothers of young children with asthma residing in Tijuana, Mexico. Management of illness takes place not only in the clinic but also in relation to home health, pharmaceutical, and traditional medical care. Is there a standard definition of medical compliance followed by all physicians? How does the definition of "compliance" from the perspective of the physician compare to that of the patient? Because children with chronic illness are prone to acute infections, studies of this nature can provide useful insight into treatment choice for both chronic illness and infectious disease.

Keywords : health; childhood asthma; medical pluralism; Mexico; Tijuana.

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