Common Health Care Practices in Honduras

Health Care Practices in Honduras

In order to understand healthcare in Honduras, it is important to understand that Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the Western hemisphere (Rennert & Koop, 2009).

"The economic situation is accompanied by a shortage of health professionals throughout the country. There are 57 physicians and 129 nurses per 100,000 people. In the United States, the corresponding ratios are 256 and 937 per 100,000 respectively" (Rennert & Koop, 2009). This scenario means that many people in Honduras lack access to formal healthcare and must rely upon home or folk remedies for diagnosis and treatment of disease. The dire economic conditions in Honduras help create an atmosphere of chronic disease and health conditions that promote disease. Some of these problems include: diarrheal diseases, respiratory infections, lack of access to clean drinking water, waste disposal issues, muscle pain, and tuberculosis (Rennert & Koop, 2009). In fact, not only is tuberculosis a major issue in Honduras, but the social conditions also establish a stigma against the disease that can help prevent treatment-seeking behavior by those infected (Rennert & Koop, 2009). In addition to those smaller health concerns, HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis are three infectious diseases still requiring intervention, prevention, and treatment efforts (WHO, 2012). Lack of access to modern medical treatments, poverty, and a religious culture that promotes belief in some cult-like religious practices combine to lead to a belief in folk remedies and other non-proven medical practices. Some of these practices are non-harmful, and may even be beneficial, but can be harmful if they cause patients to delay or avoid medical treatment. These practices were outlawed in a 1966 health law, but continue to be practiced today.

One traditional treatment in Honduras is the use of a local healers who use herbal treatments and physical manipulation to treat disease. In many ways, these local healers would be considered similar to alternative medical providers in the United States and may provide helpful alternative treatments. For example, physical manipulative practices such as massage and purging may not cure disease, but may be helpful in symptom reduction. Furthermore, the herbs used by herbalists may help with symptom alleviation and may have an overall curative value. These herbs include: "albahaca (basil), chamomile, chula and valerian root, were indigenous to this population. Many of the villagers used herbs individually in teas, or in conjunction with each other to form a poultice or a topical analgesic rub" (Marson et al., 2006).