A study on cultural frontiers of health and disease in the area of Koheda and Peddapally Mandals

The behavior of an individual as well as member of group is shaped by his belief system. This belief system is internalized in the process of socialization. The core of the belief system consists of attitudes and values. By values, we mean preferences or choices, on a scale of things that people desire and require. Thus, the belief system may be defined as an organized body of ideas, attitudes and convictions centeredaround values or things regarded as important or precious by a group. Belief system provides a large frame of reference or background which tends to control the more specific thoughts or actions of individuals and group. A belief system is a social product which arises out of the matrix of symbolic interaction. Beliefs can be true and false. True beliefs can be verified at some time or other. These beliefs coincide with reality and can also be experienced. Contrary to this, false beliefs have no basis and cannot be verified but they persist in society because of the group support. It may be appreciated that b belief is a cognitive phenomenon and, therefore, gives rise to subjective facts for every individual and for the groups. Beliefs like values have an influence on behavior and attitudes. Before science could unravel many things, people used to believe in a number of phenomena which had not been empirically tested or logically validated. The belief that smallpox was due to goddess Pochamma wrath has not been dispelled in the rural folk despite the discovery of smallpox virus and its eradication from the world. Similarly, there are many beliefs with regard to causation of various prevalent diseases found not only in rural areas but also in urban areas. Such beliefs have led to formation of certain customs amongst the people which become means to seek relief from diseases. Treatment by specific medicines cannot be resorted in the rural masses because of wrong beliefs prevailing. This study is limited to Koheda and Peddapally Mandals of Karimnagar district of Telengana.