Leprosy, impurity, and stigma in Vietnam

This Position Piece examines the nature of Vietnamese folk constructions of leprosy through Mary Douglas’s (1969) and Victor Turner’s (1967) works. Investigating Vietnamese explanations for the origins of leprosy and its channels of transmissions, symptoms, and consequences, I argue that these accou...

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Main Author: Le Hoang Ngoc Yen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Edinburgh Library 2020-09-01
Series:Medicine Anthropology Theory
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.medanthrotheory.org/article/view/5035
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spelling doaj-642ee5432b764eeaa2777ddc2c278b272021-04-22T08:40:38ZengUniversity of Edinburgh LibraryMedicine Anthropology Theory2405-691X2020-09-017217518610.17157/mat.7.2.50355035Leprosy, impurity, and stigma in VietnamLe Hoang Ngoc YenThis Position Piece examines the nature of Vietnamese folk constructions of leprosy through Mary Douglas’s (1969) and Victor Turner’s (1967) works. Investigating Vietnamese explanations for the origins of leprosy and its channels of transmissions, symptoms, and consequences, I argue that these accounts are rooted in narratives of transition, transgression, the crossing of boundaries, and categorical confusion of various kinds. I argue that these deeply embedded perceptions of leprosy help to explain the existence of persistent stigma against leprosy in Vietnam, despite highly effective drug treatments and extensive state awareness programmes.http://www.medanthrotheory.org/article/view/5035leprosyvietnampollutionmary douglasvictor turner
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Le Hoang Ngoc Yen
spellingShingle Le Hoang Ngoc Yen
Leprosy, impurity, and stigma in Vietnam
Medicine Anthropology Theory
leprosy
vietnam
pollution
mary douglas
victor turner
author_facet Le Hoang Ngoc Yen
author_sort Le Hoang Ngoc Yen
title Leprosy, impurity, and stigma in Vietnam
title_short Leprosy, impurity, and stigma in Vietnam
title_full Leprosy, impurity, and stigma in Vietnam
title_fullStr Leprosy, impurity, and stigma in Vietnam
title_full_unstemmed Leprosy, impurity, and stigma in Vietnam
title_sort leprosy, impurity, and stigma in vietnam
publisher University of Edinburgh Library
series Medicine Anthropology Theory
issn 2405-691X
publishDate 2020-09-01
description This Position Piece examines the nature of Vietnamese folk constructions of leprosy through Mary Douglas’s (1969) and Victor Turner’s (1967) works. Investigating Vietnamese explanations for the origins of leprosy and its channels of transmissions, symptoms, and consequences, I argue that these accounts are rooted in narratives of transition, transgression, the crossing of boundaries, and categorical confusion of various kinds. I argue that these deeply embedded perceptions of leprosy help to explain the existence of persistent stigma against leprosy in Vietnam, despite highly effective drug treatments and extensive state awareness programmes.
topic leprosy
vietnam
pollution
mary douglas
victor turner
url http://www.medanthrotheory.org/article/view/5035
work_keys_str_mv AT lehoangngocyen leprosyimpurityandstigmainvietnam
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