Characteristics of visitors to traditional healers in central Sudan.

Traditional healing is widespread in Sudan and traditional healers are well respected by the community. This study aimed to assess the characteristics of visitors attending traditional healers, the reasons for visits, the frequency of visits, satisfaction with visits and advantages and disadvantages of visits. The results showed that children under ten years did not take part in visits; most of the visitors were between 21 and 40 years (61%) and were women (62%). Visitors were less educated compared to the general population in the area. The main reasons given for attending traditional healers were treatment (60%) and blessing (26%). Visitors did not mention any disadvantages to visiting traditional healers.