Abstract

This thesis explores the impact of Dengue fever on three Honduran unincorporated squatter settlements. The impact of Dengue fever is judged on the basis of Critical Medical Anthropology only in this study CMA is considered to encompass both politicaleconomic medical anthropology and critical-interpretive medical anthropology. As a result, Dengue fever is discussed as both as a disease of specific biological origin and a disease related to social-psychosomatic manifestations. The presence of both typologies of disease within unincorporated squatter communities is then regarded as a factor that could promote stronger communal ties within the communities and aid in the formation a distinct cultural collective in the Honduran urban core. The information for this study was collected through a series of 17 interviews with both community members and health centre officials. The interviews were focused on determining the overall presence of Dengue fever within the communities, management techniques, and likelihood of particular groups being affected more than others within the communities themselves. The results showed that the biological disease of Dengue was present within the communities but there was not enough data to determine conclusively if the socialpsychosomatic aspect of the disease was present. Regardless, the disease is considered to be present as both typologies for the purposes of this thesis.

Advisor

Craven, Christa

Department

Sociology and Anthropology

Publication Date

2008

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2008 Jose Enrique Hasemann Lara