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

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  • Goldman, Noreen
  • Pebley, Anne R.
  • Beckett, Megan

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Goldman, Noreen & Pebley, Anne R. & Beckett, Megan, 2001. "Diffusion of ideas about personal hygiene and contamination in poor countries: evidence from Guatemala," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 52(1), pages 53-69, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:52:y:2001:i:1:p:53-69
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    Cited by:

    1. Little, Emily E. & Polanco, Maria Alejandra & Baldizon, Salvador R. & Wagner, Pascale & Shakya, Holly, 2019. "Breastfeeding knowledge and health behavior among Mayan women in rural Guatemala," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 242(C).
    2. Montgomery, Maggie A. & Desai, Mayur M. & Groce, Nora E. & Elimelech, Menachem, 2011. "Relationship between distance to social gathering facilities and risk of trachoma for households in rural Tanzanian communities," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 73(1), pages 1-5, July.
    3. Dana A. Glei & Noreen Goldman & German Rodriguez, 2002. "Utilization of Care During Pregnancy in Rural Guatemala: Does Obstetrical Need Matters," Working Papers 308, Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Office of Population Research..
    4. Lindstrom, David P & Muñoz-Franco, Elisa, 2006. "Migration and maternal health services utilization in rural Guatemala," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(3), pages 706-721, August.
    5. Anna Lunn, 2020. "Urban family ties and household latrines in rural India: A cross-sectional analysis of national data," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(7), pages 1-19, July.
    6. Alberto Palloni & Mary McEniry & Yiyue Huangfu & Hiram Beltran-Sanchez, 2020. "Impacts of the 1918 flu on survivors' nutritional status: A double quasi-natural experiment," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(10), pages 1-25, October.

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