Treatment received by children who visit traditional healers

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.