Language as a resource for improving health: Using Swahili-based concepts in responding to infant HIV

Journal article


Burke, Jean. (2012). Language as a resource for improving health: Using Swahili-based concepts in responding to infant HIV. The Australasian Review of African Studies. 33(2), pp. 141 - 157.
AuthorsBurke, Jean
Abstract

This article addresses the importance of recognising how language can structure understandings and behaviour in public health. It will be demonstrated by reference to community responses to HIV transmission to infants in Central Tanzania, using Swahili words and concepts to understand behaviour around infant feeding and improved wellbeing of children and their mothers. These examples are drawn from the findings of a qualitative study conducted in Tanzania in which data analysis was guided by the grounded theory principle of using natural language, supplemented by Swahili concepts developed and used by respondents themselves once their importance for deeper understanding was realised. The use of language in this study opened up Tanzanian ways of thinking and revealed positive dimensions to concepts more widely expressed in negative ways, such as ideas of maximising immunity (rather than reducing risk) and building openness (rather than fighting stigma). This article shows how linguistic conceptualisations are important cultural resources, and it is a contribution to improved understandings of cultural context in order to deal more effectively with infant HIV. It may also improve understanding of Swahili language and culture for researchers, policy-makers and practitioners who are not Swahili speakers, and demonstrate the importance of a linguistic perspective for public health initiatives.

Year2012
JournalThe Australasian Review of African Studies
Journal citation33 (2), pp. 141 - 157
ISSN1447-8420
Web address (URL)http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=067025353630621;res=IELIND
Open accessOpen access
Page range141 - 157
Research GroupSchool of Allied Health
Publisher's version
Permalink -

https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/857x6/language-as-a-resource-for-improving-health-using-swahili-based-concepts-in-responding-to-infant-hiv

Download files

  • 98
    total views
  • 59
    total downloads
  • 1
    views this month
  • 2
    downloads this month
These values are for the period from 19th October 2020, when this repository was created.

Export as

Related outputs

Linguistic diversity among Swahili-speakers: A challenge for translation in Australia
Burke, Jean. (2017). Linguistic diversity among Swahili-speakers: A challenge for translation in Australia. In In M. Taibi (Ed.). Translating for the Community pp. 156 - 173 Multilingual Matters. https://doi.org/10.21832/TAIBI9139
Linguistic complexity and diversity amongst Congolese diaspora in Australia: implications for language services
Burke, Jean Robinson. (2016). Linguistic complexity and diversity amongst Congolese diaspora in Australia: implications for language services.
Colourism as an intra-racial phenomenon: The case of Tanzania
Burke, Jean. (2015). Colourism as an intra-racial phenomenon: The case of Tanzania. African Studies Association of Australasia and the Pacific (AFSAAP) 37th Annual Conference. Australia: African Studies Association of Australasia and the Pacific. pp. 1 - 7
Media reporting on persons with Albinism in Tanzania
Burke, Jean. (2015). Media reporting on persons with Albinism in Tanzania [Dataset]. Sydney: Australian Catholic University. https://doi.org/10.4226/66/5653abed3470d
Media analysis of albino killings in Tanzania: A social work and human rights perspective
Burke, Jean, Kaijage, Theresa and John-Langba, Johannes. (2014). Media analysis of albino killings in Tanzania: A social work and human rights perspective. Ethics and Social Welfare. 8(2), pp. 117 - 134. https://doi.org/10.1080/17496535.2014.895398
Discrimination and violence against Tanzanians with albinism in the Great Lakes region :crime and national shame
Burke, Jean. (2013). Discrimination and violence against Tanzanians with albinism in the Great Lakes region :crime and national shame. In T Lyons (Ed.). Australia: The African Studies Association of Australasia and the Pacific.
Media framing of violence against Tanzanians with albinism in the Great Lakes region : A matter of culture, crime, poverty and human rights
Burke, Jean. (2013). Media framing of violence against Tanzanians with albinism in the Great Lakes region : A matter of culture, crime, poverty and human rights. The Australasian Review of African Studies. 34(2), pp. 57 - 77.
Understanding of discrimination against people with Albinism in East Africa
Burke, Jean. (2013). Understanding of discrimination against people with Albinism in East Africa [Dataset]. Australian Catholic University. https://doi.org/10.26199/acu.86579
Swahili-based concepts: Explaining how social ties manage HIV and infant feeding
Burke, Jean. (2011). Swahili-based concepts: Explaining how social ties manage HIV and infant feeding. 34th AFSAAP conference Africa 2011 Conference Proceedings. Australia: The African Studies Association of Australasia and t.... pp. 1 - 10
East African mothers with HIV: Testing, talking, and transmission to children
Burke, Jean, Majule, Neema Peter, Ikongo, George and Burke, Michael. (2008). East African mothers with HIV: Testing, talking, and transmission to children. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment. 17(April), pp. 259 - 279. https://doi.org/10.1080/10911350802067807