Psychosocial and cultural factors associated with the management of spina bifida cystica in Nigeria.

A prospective study of the psychosocial and cultural factors influencing the management of spina bifida cystica was carried out on Nigerian children (48 males, 28 females) seen at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, between January 1982 and December 1983. The parents of 74 of the 76 children had never heard of the disease, many had no idea of its causation and one-third incriminated witchcraft. Of primary concern was the cyst on the back. The better-educated parents tended to demand surgical treatment more than the illiterate parents. 22 children were treated surgically. The default rate was high because parents failed to get the expected hospital treatment. Most mothers showed relief rather than remorse on the death of their child.