SETTING: Twenty-three Gambian villages. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of involving traditional healers in tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment in The Gambia. DESIGN: Twenty-eight traditional healers were educated in the recognition of signs and symptoms of tuberculosis and indications for referral. They administered medications to confirmed cases, and were revisited after 1 year to assess knowledge retention. RESULTS: Over 6 months, the traditional healers referred 66 suspects, from whom eight cases were diagnosed. All were successfully treated. Twenty-three of 24 traditional healers re-interviewed retained appropriate knowledge; 16 continued to refer suspects. CONCLUSIONS: Traditional healers can play a positive role in tuberculosis control.
SETTING: Twenty-three Gambian villages. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of involving traditional healers in tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment in The Gambia. DESIGN: Twenty-eight traditional healers were educated in the recognition of signs and symptoms of tuberculosis and indications for referral. They administered medications to confirmed cases, and were revisited after 1 year to assess knowledge retention. RESULTS: Over 6 months, the traditional healers referred 66 suspects, from whom eight cases were diagnosed. All were successfully treated. Twenty-three of 24 traditional healers re-interviewed retained appropriate knowledge; 16 continued to refer suspects. CONCLUSIONS: Traditional healers can play a positive role in tuberculosis control.
Authors: M Chipinduro; C Timire; J Chirenda; R Matambo; E Munemo; B Makamure; A F Nhidza; W Tinago; V Chikwasha; M Ngwenya; J Mutsvangwa; J Z Metcalfe; C Sandy Journal: Int J Tuberc Lung Dis Date: 2022-01-01 Impact factor: 2.373
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