Med Anthropol. 1994 May; 15(4): 395-408.

The Marathi "taskonomy" of respiratory illnesses in children.

Chand AD, Bhattacharyya K.

Institute of Health Management in Pachod, Maharashtra, India.

The reduction of childhood mortality from respiratory infections depends upon a case management strategy which encourages the decision to seek treatment. The research discussed, conducted in Pachod, Maharashtra, India, uses a "taskonomic" approach to understanding the diagnosis of illness and treatment decisions. This approach views treatment decisions as a result not only of local conceptual models of illness, but also of the specific circumstances of illness episodes involving different types of social relationships and control over resources.