Traditional Healers' Practices and the Spread of HIV/AIDS in South Eastern Nigeria
| Autor: | EJ Peters, J U Ekott, O. E. Essien, K K Immananagha |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2004 |
| Předmět: |
Adult
Male Adolescent 030231 tropical medicine Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Nigeria HIV Infections medicine.disease_cause Interviews as Topic 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) medicine Humans Prospective Studies 030212 general & internal medicine Socioeconomics Medicine African Traditional Aged Community Health Workers Folk medicine Traditional medicine business.industry Public Health Environmental and Occupational Health Middle Aged medicine.disease Infectious Diseases Socioeconomic Factors Female business South eastern |
| Zdroj: | Tropical Doctor. 34:79-82 |
| ISSN: | 1758-1133 0049-4755 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/004947550403400206 |
| Popis: | A 3-year (1997-1999) prospective study was carried out to evaluate the possible role of traditional healers (THs) in the spread of HIV/AIDS in south eastern Nigeria. Their patients' knowledge of HIV infection was also ascertained during the review period. Four contiguous states in south eastern Nigeria with high prevalent rates of HIV infection were chosen for the survey. Sixtynine patients of THs were randomly selected and contacted from the patients' list of five selected THs in each state. Thus, a total of 20 THs and 69 patients formed subjects of the study. The study involved a face-to-face interview of the subjects by trained health personnel in each state using a prepared structured questionnaire. The questionnaire elicited information on their biodata, past/present medical history, social/family history, nature and mode of treatment received or administered, and their knowledge of HIV infection, where applicable. The results showed that there was a serious HIV/AIDS related risk inherent in the practices of Nigerian THs patronized by over 60% of the population. This was suggested by the continuous usage of unsterilized instruments and crosscontamination with patients' blood and body fluid in their practices. It was further revealed that, the patients' HIV/AIDS related knowledge was poor (30%). Basic education on HIV/AIDSmust be given to all groups in Nigeria inciudingTHs, their patients and general public. The World Health Organization and other agencies involved in the fight against HIV infection should focus on the safety of THs' practices as a possible mode of transmission of HIV infection in Africa. Unlessthis aspect is taken seriously along with other preventive strategies already adopted, the epidemic of the disease condition may continue to spread in Africa. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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