Sociodemographic Characteristics of Traditional Healers and Their Knowledge of Noma: A Descriptive Survey in Three Regions of Mali

Article Article scientifique Article Sociodemographic Characteristics of Traditional Healers and Their Knowledge of Noma: A Descriptive Survey in Three Regions of Mali eng 2019 author Baratti Denise 88158 author Daou Moussa Baba 830722 author Gayet-Ageron Angèle 668551 author Jeannot Emilien 0000-0002-6625-3575 649786 author Pittet Cuenod Brigitte Maud 114581 4587 10.3390/ijerph16224587 31752451 1661-7827 https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/22/4587 Noma can be a lethal disease and causes disfigurement in young children in low-resource countries, particularly in Africa. In these settings, 80% of the population mainly consult traditional healers for healthcare problems. Our study aimed to describe the sociodemographic characteristics of traditional healers and to assess their knowledge of noma. Methods: We conducted a survey among traditional healers in three Malian regions from May 2015 to January 2016 and collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, professional activity, knowledge, and experience of noma and collaboration with modern medicine. Results: Among 770 traditional healers invited to participate, 732 responded (95%) (mean age, 54.5 years). Most were illiterate (66.3%), which was associated with older age (p < 0.001). Although they treated all types of disease, only 10.5% had some knowledge of noma, with regional differences (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Noma is poorly known among traditional healers, especially in remote areas. Our findings suggest a lack of interest among young people for traditional medicine, implying an imminent decrease of healers, and thus the need for national health systems to strengthen and promote access to modern health care. Training programmes to improve the early diagnosis referral of noma patients should include all types of primary health workers. access to health cancrum oris Noma traditional healers traditional medicine west Africa Dewey 613 Dewey 616.89 Dewey 617 57 Département de chirurgie 222 60 Département de psychiatrie 225 66 Institut de santé globale 22A1 false 88 Epidémiologie clinique et biostatistique 115 72 Groupe Pittet Cuenod Brigitte (chirurgie plastique et reconstructive) 96 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16 22 0601b18a-b3a0-481a-8090-81e0ccf57b42 Article (Published version) Public tradi.pdf 1291057 application/pdf CC BY openAccess Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département de chirurgie Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département de psychiatrie Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département de santé et médecine communautaires / Institut de santé globale

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Sociodemographic Characteristics of Traditional Healers and Their Knowledge of Noma: A Descriptive Survey in Three Regions of Mali	International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health			2019	397	268

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Daou, Moussa Baba