Discuss health belief models.

With the help of relevant evidence, discuss the impact of

culture on health beliefs system in the context of India.

Health belief models are psychological frameworks used to explain and predict behaviors and
decision-making processes related to health. These models shed light on how individuals
perceive health risks, assess benefits and barriers, and make decisions about their well-being.
According to the model, the likelihood that a person will take preventive measures depends on
two assessments that they will make. One pertaining to the perceived threat and the other
pertaining to pros and cons of taking the action. Perceived threat also has components: First,
individuals evaluate their perceived susceptibility to a health problem, whereby higher perceived
susceptibility increases the likelihood of perceiving a threat and taking preventive action.
Second, the perceived seriousness of the health problem influences the degree of threat
perceived, thus impacting the likelihood of action. Third, cues to action, such as reminders or
alerts, can trigger the perception of threat and promote action. Individuals weigh the benefits
and barriers of a health behavior, with the benefits needing to outweigh the barriers for behavior
change to occur. Finally, self-efficacy, or belief in one's ability to perform a behavior, plays a
crucial role in determining the likelihood of behavior change. Health belief models have been
widely used to understand and promote healthy behaviors. They inform interventions, public
health campaigns, and healthcare practices. However, the Health Belief Model has limitations. It
does not fully account for habitual behaviors that people perform without considering health
threats, such as habitually brushing teeth. Additionally, variations in measurement tools make
comparisons across studies challenging.

The Health Belief Model (HBM) can be applied to understand the influence of culture on the
practice of homeopathy in India. Homeopathy is a popular alternative medical system in India,
and its adoption and continued practice can be examined through the lens of the HBM's
components.

Perceived Susceptibility and Severity: Individuals who choose homeopathy often perceive
themselves as susceptible to certain health conditions and view homeopathy as a suitable
approach to address their health concerns. The belief in the effectiveness of homeopathy as a
gentle and non-invasive treatment modality aligns with their perception of the severity of the
health condition. Homeopathy is often sought for chronic conditions, where individuals may
perceive conventional medicine as providing limited relief or causing undesirable side effects.

Perceived Benefits: The perceived benefits of homeopathy influence individuals' decision to

pursue this treatment approach. Many individuals in India believe that homeopathy offers
personalized and holistic care, considering both physical and emotional aspects of health.
Homeopathy is seen as a comprehensive system that aims to treat the root cause of the illness,
rather than merely alleviating symptoms. This aligns with the belief in natural healing methods
and the importance of individualized treatment.

Perceived Barriers: Despite the widespread popularity of homeopathy in India, there may be
perceived barriers to its adoption. These barriers can include limited access to qualified
homeopathic practitioners in certain regions, financial constraints, or lack of scientific evidence
in support of homeopathy. However, cultural beliefs and positive experiences of individuals who
have benefited from homeopathic treatments often outweigh these barriers.

Cues to Action: Cultural cues, such as family and community recommendations, play a
significant role in promoting the use of homeopathy. Positive word-of-mouth experiences from
family members, friends, or community members who have experienced successful outcomes
with homeopathy often act as cues to action, encouraging others to explore homeopathic
treatments.

Culture also influences the role of homeopathy in India through religious beliefs, such as the
importance of natural remedies and the influence of traditional healing systems. These cultural
factors reinforce the trust and belief in homeopathy as an effective treatment approach.

Sources:

1. Bodeker, G., & Burford, G. (2013). Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative

Medicine: Policy and Public Health Perspectives. Imperial College Press.
2. Mathie, R. T., Ramparsad, N., & Legg, L. A. (2013). The Impact of Homeopathic
Medicines on Health-Related Quality of Life: A Systematic Review of Randomized
Controlled Trials. Homeopathy, 102(4), 224-231.
3. Frank R, Ecks S. Towards an ethnography of Indian homeopathy. Anthropol Med. 2004
Dec 1;11(3):307-26. doi: 10.1080/1364847042000296581. PMID: 26868322.