Health and Illness : An Anthropological Exploration

Contents: Foreword. Introduction. I. Health ethnography: 1. Reproductive health among the Vaiphei of Manipur: an anthropological perspective/Tonjam Joshila Chanu and MC. Arunkumar. 2. Belief and practices of pregnancy care among phaknung women, Manipur/Lairellakpam Aruna. 3. Gender, health and patriarchy among the Tangkhuls/Rv. Khanchuila. 4. Offspring mortality and reproductive compensation: a case of Manipuri Muslims/Mohammad Asghar and Nongthombam Achoubi Devi. 5. Nutrients intake among the scheduled caste children of Manipur/H. Sorojini Devi. 6. Children and health: a study among the Kukis of Chavangphai Village, Manipur/Haokip Nemneivah. 7. Family planning attitude of the migrants in Manipur/Sougaijam Priyokumar Meitei and M.C. Arunkumar. II. Etiology of illness: 8. Hair loss among cervical cancer patients from Manipur: an anthropological perspective/Arundhati Devi Maibam. 9. Causal explanations for Ee Nungshitki Ayetpa among married Muslim adolescent girls of Manipur/Irengbam Bijeta Devi. 10. Assessment of low height, low weight and haemoglobin status among the Kom School children in three villages of Churachandpur District, Manipur/H. Sorojini Devi and M. Shyamchand Meitei. …III. Treatmetn behavior: 14. Traditional health care practices in Nongpok Sekmai, Manipur/Keisham Ingocha Singh and Mayanglambam Manibabu Singh….

Health and illness: An Anthropological Exploration is based on the concept that health and illness are component of a larger society, experimental and explanatory complex. It draws on the ethnographic literature to illustrate the chemistry that defines and address health and illness. This book brings into light how it is defined and experienced in social and cultural context and indigenous explanation for the etiology of illness. The social and cultural dynamics of diagnosis and treatment of illness is also another important aspect of this book.

The whole book is a pedagogic exercise to identify health and illness from Anthropological perspective and how Anthropologist can help us in understanding the issues related with health, illness and health care. This book will provide basis of recommendation to health planners as it will bridge the yawning gap between what we think is the need and the actual need at grassroot level.