Terminology and Concepts of Medications and Diseases in the Local Language in Helmand
Keywords: Folk terminology, illness, medicine, socio-cultural beliefs, health behavior.
Nazir Ahmad Rishtinay*1
Abstract
This study investigates the linguistic and cultural interpretations of diseases and medicines in Helmand, Afghanistan, with a focus on how local terms and beliefs influence health-related behaviors. The central research question asked how people define illnesses and medicines in folk language and how their use of drugs is shaped by social, cultural, and economic factors. The research employed a concurrent mixed-method design, guided by the theoretical frameworks of Social Constructionism and the Health Belief Model. A total of 390 participants were surveyed (76.2% male, 23.8% female), including both highly educated (60.7%) and illiterate (20.4%) individuals, representing Lashkargah (50.5%) and Nad Ali (49.5%). Qualitative analysis revealed that participants do not rely solely on biomedical terms, but frequently use folk labels such as common cold, cough, and fever, while assessing illness severity based on environment, nutrition, hygiene, and drug usage. Treatment strategies combined traditional, religious, and biomedical practices. Quantitative findings showed that 46.1% considered doctors as the primary source of advice, 73.8% used non-prescribed medicines, and 54.4% reported occasional use of antibiotics. The findings highlight that the perception and use of medicines are strongly influenced by cultural narratives, economic constraints, and social interactions. The study concludes that illness and treatment practices are socially and linguistically constructed, and recommends that public health programs integrate local linguistic-cultural knowledge, promote rational use of medicine, and address economic barriers to improve healthcare access.
