Traditional healers and mental illness in Uganda
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Date
1999
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Psychiatric Bulletin
Abstract
cross-sectional, interview survey
of the beliefs, knowledge, attitudes and practice
towards mental illnessof 29 traditional healers in the
Pallisadistrict of Uganda was carried out.
Results Many of the healers had experienced
emotional problems that had been treated by other
healers.Almost all had a family member who was also a
traditional healer. They treated a wide range of
conditions and all dealt with mental illness. Most
believed that mental disorders were caused by
supernatural processes. Many recognised the role of
environmental agents. Their diagnosis and
management of mental illness was eclectic. The
healers were either traditional herbalists or spirit
diviners or a mixture of both. Almost all referred
patients to the district hospitals and were willing to
work with government health services.
Clinical implications The resultsof the survey suggest
the presence of fertile ground on which to build
cooperation between traditional healers and medical
services. Such cooperation may harness primary care
resources more effectively. Sequential or simultaneous
models of collaboration (or combinations of both) may
be considered. Further work on specific treatments,
their outcomes and the evaluation of collaborative
models is needed.
Description
Keywords
Traditional healers, Mental illness, Uganda
Citation
Ovuga, E., Boardman, J., & Oluka, E. G. (1999). Traditional healers and mental illness in Uganda. Psychiatric Bulletin, 23(5), 276-279.