Sociology PDF

Sociology DENA MOHAMED CPHQ, MPH, MFDRCSI, BDS Definition of medical sociology Medical sociology is concerned with the relationship between social factors and health Role of sociology in public health Evaluation of the macro components of society that affect public health at the pop...

Sociology DENA MOHAMED CPHQ, MPH, MFDRCSI, BDS Definition of medical sociology Medical sociology is concerned with the relationship between social factors and health Role of sociology in public health Evaluation of the macro components of society that affect public health at the population level Understand the health inequality Reveal the mechanism for long-term changes that may lead to a reduction in health inequalities Variation in disease patterns with changing society Human lived as hunters-gatherers Disease pattern in pre- Survival depended on mother-nature for availability of food agricultural society Food was consumed in uncooked and raw state Personal hygiene lacked Excessive exposure to soil and dirt Zoonotic diseases were common Major hazards to health were starvation and death due to physical injuries from the environment Variation in disease patterns with changing society Development of agriculture led to permanent settlement of humans Disease pattern in agricultural and higher densities They learned to use fire to cook their food, which lead to decrease exposure to soil and dirt and thus decline in zoonotic diseases In the absence of sanitation, permanent settlement frequently led to society contamination of water from human waste increased the risk of infection Cereals become part of the diet thus narrowing the range of nutrients in diet, this reduces the resistance to infections Cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, and vector borne disease were common Variation in disease patterns with changing society Disease pattern in early industrial society Majority of people migrated to cities for jobs in factories Rapid rise in population densities in the absence of laws governing health and safety at work Diseases like TB and occupational hazards become common, in addition to the infectious diseases of agricultural society Variation in disease patterns with changing society Technological advancement in agriculture ensured food stalk Disease pattern in modern Sanitation and provision of safe drinking water supply leads to control in infectious disease industrial society Introduction of laws governing health and safety at work and for protection of worker’s rights Much safer society Major public health problems are obesity, degenerative diseases (osteoarthritis, atherosclerosis and cancer), and chronic diseases (diabetes and hypertension) due to improved in socio-economic condition Changing society and patterns of dental diseases Development of refined Pre- Diet was non-refined and End of sugar led to rise of dental agricultural course, so attrition of teeth agricultural society period caries in the rich and was severe aristocratic families only Decline in the incidence of Early Increase in the incidence Modern dental caries with the industrial and prevalence of dental industrial phase phase introduction of fluoridated caries toothpaste The socio-environmental approach (social model) It is concerned with socio-environmental factors improving population’s health rather than factors causing disease in individuals and therefore forms the basis of health promotion strategies The socio-environmental approach (social model) Five broad factors can be targeted to improve population health: 1. Social and economic environment 2. Physical environment 3. Personal health practices 4. Access to health services Health and social factors Social scientists have observed a strong correlation between health and social characteristics namely social class (occupation, income, and education), age, gender, and ethnicity. Health and social factors Social classes and the reaction of each to dental care The upper middle class: Professional and business executive group Well educated, living in preferred areas in well maintained, usually spacious homes The members of this class “seek out expert advice” They value their teeth Interested in preventive dentistry and actively pursue various type of dental care Have the desire to having their own teeth as long as possible Health and social factors Social classes and the reaction of each to dental care The lower middle class: Includes the owners of small business, minor executives, teachers, salesman, and white- collar workers Have at least a high education Live in well-maintained, clean, pleasant neighborhoods Inclined to imitate the upper middle class, but their behavior is not necessarily motivated by same consideration Health and social factors Social classes and the reaction of each to dental care The lower middle class: The dentist is regarded as one who fixes teeth, who gave directions as to how teeth should be cared for and who is useful for preventive dentistry Training in dental health habits begin early in the group Health and social factors Social classes and the reaction of each to dental care The upper lower class: Have limited education and live in modest neighborhoods They don’t receive professional dental care to maintain their own teeth They acquire artificial dentures at a relatively early age and are reasonably happy with them They instruct their children how to care for their teeth Health and social factors Social classes and the reaction of each to dental care The lower class: The group consists of the unskilled laborers, people who shift from job to job They have limited education Live in slum areas They have no stable pattern of life They reveal the most consistent neglect of teeth Health and social factors Age inequalities in health Aging is associated with change in the social characteristics such as limited financial resources, post retirement and social isolation Some disease associated with limited mobilities, leads to limitation in the accessibility to health services Health and social factors Gender inequalities in health The effect of gender on health depends on the cultural and social norms of the society Research evidence indicates that women generally have a greater number of consultations and admission at hospitals. This is due to child birth, maternity consultations. In addition, as women being a care- taker at home, they have more chance to visit a doctor, compared to the men who bound in their professional commitments.  THANK YOU ! QUESTIONS