Treatment received by children who visit traditional healers
Date
2009-11-24T10:58:37Z
Authors
Ayibor, Prosper Kwame
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Abstract
One hundred caregivers/parents were interviewed in the survey to find out treatments children
who visited the traditional healers received and the outcome of such treatments, fees paid and
motivation for soliciting the services of traditional healers. The mean age of respondents was
28.8 years and 22.4 months for children. Seventy five percent of respondents visited the
traditional healer voluntarily while 25% were pressurised by family. The majority of respondents
(70%) sent their children to the traditional healers for treatment for either inyoni (sunken anterior
fontanel) or ibala (capillary naevus). Six-four percent of the children were given oral herbal
preparations, 57% had scarification while others had talisman/amulet for protection. Seventy-five
percent of the children recovered after visiting the traditional healers. Six-three percent of the
caregivers/parents were satisfied with the treatment received and expressed their willingness to
visit again. Recommendations have been offered to improve collaboration between western
medical and traditional medical practices for the benefit of children.
Description
M.Sc. (Med.), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 2008.
Keywords
traditional healers, children