Shaba, B and MacLachlan, Malcolm and Carr, SC and Ager, A (1993) Palliative versus curative beliefs regarding tropical epilepsy as a function of traditional and medical attributions. Central African Journal of Medicine, 39 (8). pp. 165-167. ISSN 0008-9176

Preview

Download (211kB) | Preview

Abstract

Although epilepsy may be successfully managed with appropriate medication, in Africa epileptics are often vilified, sometimes because of traditional beliefs about the illness. We investigated the strength of beliefs which 112 rural Malawians held regarding traditional and medical explanations for the cause, treatment and cure of epilepsy. Those who believed in traditional causes of epilepsy also endorsed traditional treatment for it, though they did not see such treatment as curative. Those who believed in a medical treatment, did however see such treatment as curative. Knowledge of a local medical facility for the treatment of epilepsy was also positively related to the belief that epilepsy is curable. The ability of people to simultaneously hold medical and traditional beliefs about epilepsy was noted.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Palliative; versus; curative; beliefs; tropical epilepsy; function; traditional; medical; attributions;
Academic Unit:	Assisting Living & Learning,ALL institute Faculty of Science and Engineering > Psychology
Item ID:	16449
Depositing User:	Malcolm MacLachlan
Date Deposited:	29 Aug 2022 14:57
Journal or Publication Title:	Central African Journal of Medicine
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	Publisher
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

Repository Staff Only(login required)

Item control page

Downloads

Origin of downloads