1.06 - Suffering & Social Inequality I

Question 1

What are the three factors in the epidemiological triad?

Answer 1

Agent: factors to do with the bacteria/virus
Host: factors to do with the human and individual behaviour
Environment: factors to do with the environment

Question 2

Descrive the factors involved in the Ebola Virus outbreak in Northern Uganda

Answer 2

Failure of Health Services
Highly virulent bug
Cultural factors: large refugee camps with dynamic population. Civil war in Sudan fighting north of Uganda. Inequality within the country.

Question 3

Descrive the factors involved in the Measles Epidemic in the PNG Highlands

Answer 3

Community/Cultural factors: Ongoing violence, cultural valorising of violence, overpopulation, limited land tenure, cash cropping

Mistrust of immunisations
Malnourished children
Underfunded services

Question 4

Descrive the factors involved in the Niacin Deficiency in Angola

Answer 4

Rebels blocking off the mill that fortified the maize with niacin (a type of B vitamin)
Factors to do with the nutrient (agent –> fortified food)
Make it a safe environment to allow the fortification (Environment)
Encourage people to make eating choices about the nutrient (Host)

Question 5

How can alter each of the factors in the epidemiological triad to improve outcome?

Answer 5

Host: make the individual strong
Agent: kill the bug, immunisation.
Environment: improve the health system or engineer a better one
General: work politically.