[Dracunculosis: beliefs and attitudes of populations in the endemic zone of the savannah (Burkina-Faso)].

For years, most of the authors propose the sinking of wells as the only method of dracunculiasis control. However, this measure did not lead to the eradication of this very vulnerable endemic scourge in West Africa. Our research has concerned the collection of epidemiologic and socio-medical data close to the housewives. The research has been carried out into six endemic villages in Burkina-Faso, North-Western savannah before the setting up of a control project through health education and chemical water supply points treatment. The global dracunculiasis incidence rate is about 20.3%, setting the six villages in hyperendemic zone. The family incidence rates are from 5.3% to 100% with an attack of 72% of families. The majority of patients are taken into account in case of disability by the village community. Causes of the illness are unknown for 68% of persons, but 30% of people associate it to the water. Ignorance and lack of treatment concern 63.5% of answers. Traditional treatment (32.8% of answers) is very diversified and based on plant extracts. As for the prevention of disease, there is no solution in 83% of cases. A part from the 35% of answers concerning modern well water, the other proposed methods are ineffective. Ponds are finally the mainly water supply source during the raining seasons in spite of the presence of modern wells. The reasons of that situation are mainly the taste of ponds water and the remoteness of wells. The understanding of those beliefs and attitudes lead to thing of several complementary strategies as sinking of modern wells and health education for dracunculiasis control.