Kusimba J, Voeten H A C M, O'Hara H B, Otido J M, Habbema J D F, Ndinya-Achola J O, Bwayo J J
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi, PO Box 19676, Nairobi, Kenya.
Int J STD AIDS. 2003 Mar;14(3):197-201. doi: 10.1258/095646203762869223.
To describe the role of traditional healers in STD case management, in-depth interviews were held with 16 healers (seven witchdoctors, five herbalists and four spiritual healers) in four slum areas in Nairobi, Kenya. All healers believed that STDs are sexually transmitted and recognized the main symptoms. The STD-caseload varied largely, with a median of one patient per week. Witchdoctors and herbalists dispensed herbal medication for an average of seven days, whereas spiritual healers prayed. Thirteen healers gave advice on sexual abstinence during treatment, 11 on contact treatment, four on faithfulness and three on condom use. All healers asked patients to return for review and 13 reported referring patients whose conditions persist to public or private health care facilities. Thus, traditional healers in Nairobi play a modest but significant role in STD management. Their contribution to STD health education could be strengthened, especially regarding the promotion of condoms and faithfulness.
为描述传统治疗师在性传播疾病（STD）病例管理中的作用，研究人员对肯尼亚内罗毕四个贫民窟地区的16名治疗师（7名巫医、5名草药医生和4名精神治疗师）进行了深入访谈。所有治疗师都认为性传播疾病是通过性传播的，并认识到主要症状。性传播疾病的病例数量差异很大，中位数为每周一名患者。巫医和草药医生平均提供七天的草药治疗，而精神治疗师则进行祈祷。13名治疗师在治疗期间给出了性禁欲的建议，11名给出了接触治疗的建议，4名给出了忠诚的建议，3名给出了使用避孕套的建议。所有治疗师都要求患者回来复诊，13名治疗师报告说会将病情持续的患者转诊到公共或私立医疗机构。因此，内罗毕的传统治疗师在性传播疾病管理中发挥着适度但重要的作用。他们对性传播疾病健康教育的贡献可以得到加强，特别是在推广避孕套和忠诚方面。
