Ghosts, witches, sickness and death: the traditional interpretation of injury and disease in a rural area of Papua New Guinea.

For many people in remote parts of Papua New Guinea (PNG) health and illness have their origin in the invisible realm of spirits, ghosts and sorcerers. For instance, death from malaria may be interpreted as witchcraft and other deaths are attributed to the agency of ghosts. An accident, such as a fall, may be regarded by the victim and his family as the result of sorcery. Even though health professionals know a great deal about the physical aspects of the diseases which afflict their communities, they may not understand the people's interpretation of them. Modern medicine has no satisfactory approach for dealing with some culture-bound syndromes.