Linking pathogens, people and places: Using geo-ethnography to understand place-based, socio-economic inequalities in gastrointestinal infections in the UK

• Published in: Health & place 2022-03, Vol.74, p.102741-102741, Article 102741
• Main Authors: Rotheram, Suzanne, Cooper, Jessie, Barr, Ben, Whitehead, Margaret
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anthropology, Cultural; Child; Child, Preschool; Communicable Diseases - epidemiology; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; Gastrointestinal infection; Geo-ethnography; Health inequalities; Humans; Place-based study; Socioeconomic Factors; United Kingdom
• ISSN: 1353-8292; 1873-2054
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102741

This ethnographic study in two socio-economically contrasting areas employed geo-ethnography, underpinned by a relational approach, to understand inequalities in gastrointestinal infections in families with young children. In our ‘relatively disadvantaged’ area, gastrointestinal infections spread to multiple households within a small radius, whereas in our ‘relatively advantaged’ area, illness was confined to one household or dispersed long distances. These differences were shaped by historical, social and economic contrasts in: housing; social networks and childcare arrangements; employment and household income. Our findings show how linking places, pathogens and people helps us understand inequalities in gastrointestinal infections and may be pertinent to other infectious diseases such as COVID-19. •We examined UK place-based inequalities in GI infections using geo-ethnography.•Historical, political, economic and social contrasts shape place-based inequalities.•In ‘disadvantaged’ area infection spread to multiple households in a small radius.•In ‘advantaged’ area infection confined to one household or dispersed long distances.•Interventions should consider place-based contrasts in order to reduce inequalities.