Diffusion of ideas about personal hygiene and contamination in poor countries: Evidence from Guatemala

Noreen Goldman, Anne R. Pebley, Megan Beckett

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this paper, we explore the diffusion of beliefs pertaining to the causes of childhood diarrhea in rural Guatemala. The analysis focuses on the importance of interpersonal and impersonal contacts as conduits for information and norms related to hygiene and contamination. Estimates from multivariate models reveal that there is evidence of a diffusion process through social contacts, primarily through interpersonal ones. The analysis also identifies striking differences between (1) the diffusion process related to hygiene (e.g. dirtiness) and that related to contamination (e.g. pathogens); and (2) beliefs about the causes of diarrheal illness among children in general and those among respondents' own children. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)53-69
Number of pages17
JournalSocial Science and Medicine
Volume52
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Health(social science)
  • History and Philosophy of Science

Keywords

  • Contamination
  • Diarrhea
  • Diffusion
  • Guatemala
  • Hygiene

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