title: The association of beliefs about heredity with preventive and interpersonal behaviors in communities affected by podoconiosis in rural Ethiopia.
abstract: Little is known about how beliefs about heredity as a cause of health conditions might influence preventive and interpersonal behaviors among those individuals with low genetic and health literacy. We explored causal beliefs about podoconiosis, a neglected tropical disease (NTD) endemic in Ethiopia. Podoconiosis clusters in families but can be prevented if individuals at genetically high risk wear shoes consistently. Adults (N = 242) from four rural Ethiopian communities participated in qualitative assessments of beliefs about the causes of podoconiosis. Heredity was commonly mentioned, with heredity being perceived as (1) the sole cause of podoconiosis, (2) not a causal factor, or (3) one of multiple causes. These beliefs influenced the perceived controllability of podoconiosis and in turn, whether individuals endorsed preventive and interpersonal stigmatizing behaviors. Culturally informed education programs that increase the perceived controllability of stigmatized hereditary health conditions like podoconiosis have promise for increasing preventive behaviors and reducing interpersonal stigma.
authors: College of Social Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. destaayode@yahoo.com
authors: Desta
authors: D
authors: Ayode
authors: Colleen M
authors: CM
authors: McBride
authors: Hendrik
authors: H
authors: de Heer
authors: Emi
authors: E
authors: Watanabe
authors: Tsega
authors: T
authors: Gebreyesus
authors: Getnet
authors: G
authors: Tadele
authors: Abebayehu
authors: A
authors: Tora
authors: Gail
authors: G
authors: Davey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003469:Culture; D004604:Elephantiasis / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D040941:Heredity; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012423:Rural Health; D012424:Rural Population; D013240:Stereotyping; D055815:Young Adult