Pathological frame and functional convenience of tuberculosis in Cambodia : looking beyond detection and treatment

Abstract

Treatment for endemic diseases such as tuberculosis exists but these diseases continue to disproportionately plague those living in poverty. Tuberculosis is a complex public health issue and is a major challenge that defies pragmatic and instrumental treatment methods of detection and treatment. Currently, the causation of the disease is predominantly framed as a medical problem, which systematically excludes social variants, which narrows our understanding of treatment methodologies. By employing actor-network theory as a comprehensive scope for analysing interactions across varying stakeholders, I argue that there is vital need to view diseases as manifestations of social dysfunctions. Public health networks and policies with unequal representations reflect asymmetrical power structures which could paradoxically be a disservice to the very people it aims to serve. However, the dysfunctional network continues to function because of the inherent operational rationality and functional convenience which leads to pragmatic routine processes that predisposes behaviours of each actor. As such, the study aims to utilize a relational theory to encompass varied actor’s perspectives and to understand why, despite international and national efforts to control the epidemic; the disease continues to affect many.