Uniting behind a common goal: Collaboration between traditional healers and allopathic health care workers to improve rural snakebite care

Steinhorst, Jonathan; Tianyi, Frank-Leonel; Habib, Abdulrazaq G.; Oluoch, George O.; Lalloo, David G.; Stienstra, Ymkje

doi:10.1016/j.toxcx.2022.100140

Toxicon: X

2022

DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2022.100140

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Uniting behind a common goal: Collaboration between traditional healers and allopathic health care workers to improve rural snakebite care

Jonathan Steinhorst

Frank-Leonel Tianyi

Abdulrazaq G. Habib

et al.

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Cited by 6 publications

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References 50 publications

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“…However, allopathic medicine has generally dismissed the role of traditional healers in handling envenomings and, consequently, there is usually limited communication between these parallel therapeutic approaches. Jonathan Steinhorst et al (2022) explore this relevant topic and argue that patients can benefit from efforts aimed at integrating these two avenues. A productive dialogue between allopathic practitioners and traditional healers is likely to bring benefits for the patients, and innovative approaches along this line should be promoted.…”

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confidence: 99%

Special issue editorial: Resource mapping for the management of snakebite envenomation

et al. 2023

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confidence: 99%

Special issue editorial: Resource mapping for the management of snakebite envenomation

et al. 2023

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Traditional healers' perception on scabies causation and management in Ghana

Tehrani,

Vos,

Kisabacak

et al. 2024

Tropical Med Int Health

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IntroductionScabies is an underdiagnosed skin infestation caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. The infection causes severe itching and a skin rash but can be effectively treated using topical or systemic drugs. Scabies outbreaks are commonly reported in resource‐poor countries, including Ghana. Traditional healers play an important role in primary care in rural areas. The role of these traditional healers in the management of scabies has so far not been explored. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the perceptions of traditional healers regarding the causation and management of scabies.MethodsA phenomenological qualitative approach was employed. Traditional healers in the Asante Akim North and Central districts in Ghana were approached with an interview request. Using a semi‐structured interview protocol, 15 traditional healers were interviewed. The results were coded and analysed, after which seven themes were extrapolated.ResultsScabies infections were frequently reported by traditional healers. Itching and skin rash were unanimously regarded as the major symptoms of scabies. The majority acknowledged the infectious nature of scabies, but no participant reported the causative organism. A dichotomous disease classification was noted, consisting of ‘natural’ and ‘spiritual’ variants each with a unique disease profile and management requirements, as reported by the traditional healers. All but two traditional healers reported to treat scabies using almost exclusively herbs and spiritual rituals.ConclusionThe majority of traditional healers were open to collaboration with allopathic healthcare providers. Collaboration could broaden the primary care network in rural areas, but mistrust and lack of transparency form potential barriers to collaboration. We, therefore, emphasise the need for additional efforts to investigate strategies for future collaboration.

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Optimizing survival in Russell’s viper bite cases in low-resource setting: two case reports

Sharif,

Amin,

Barshan

et al. 2024

J Med Case Reports

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Introduction Snakebite envenomation poses a significant health risk, particularly in low-resource settings where access to proper treatment is limited. Case presentation This study reports two cases of Russell's viper bites in rural Bangladesh, involving 48 and 35-year-old Bangladesh males, respectively, and highlights the difficulties in providing adequate medical care and in treating any complications that may arise. Both cases involved delayed access to healthcare, initial visit to traditional healers, and the development of severe complications such as coagulopathy, renal failure. After the intervention both cases survived which is scarce in low resource settings. Conclusion The cases underscore the importance of early recognition, appropriate management, and improved healthcare infrastructure to optimize survival outcomes in snakebite cases in resource-limited settings. These cases will contribute valuable insights to the field of snakebite management and provide guidance for improving survival rates and outcomes among snakebite victims in Bangladesh.

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Uniting behind a common goal: Collaboration between traditional healers and allopathic health care workers to improve rural snakebite care

Cited by 6 publications

References 50 publications

Special issue editorial: Resource mapping for the management of snakebite envenomation

Special issue editorial: Resource mapping for the management of snakebite envenomation

Traditional healers' perception on scabies causation and management in Ghana

Optimizing survival in Russell’s viper bite cases in low-resource setting: two case reports

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