Traditional medicines that are used to treat witchcraft-related diarrhoea among under-five children in northern Tanzania children in northern Tanzania

Abstract

Introduction: Diarrhoea continues to be a severe public health concern, particularly in developing nations. The illness is responsible for various bacterial, viral, and other physiological changes. However, it has also been perceived by the community that diarrhoea among under-five children could be due to witchcraft. In principle, all forms of diarrhoea can be managed with well-established contemporary therapies; nonetheless, it has been suggested that perceived witchcraft-related diarrhoea among under-five children can only be managed by traditional medicines. In northern Tanzania, the use of conventional drugs in the management of perceived witchcraft-related diarrhoea among under-five children is substantial. Yet, there are limited studies on this subject. The present study explored traditional medicines that are used to treat perceived witchcraft-related diarrhoea among under-five children.

Methods: A cross-sectional study using a qualitative research approach was carried out in Korogwe and Handeni districts in northern Tanzania. The study population included paediatric health workers, caretakers of under-five children, and traditional healers. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions served as the data collection methods. Thematic analysis was employed for data analysis.

Results: A total of 247 participants were enrolled, which included 127 males and 120 females. Most participants, especially caretakers and traditional healers, preferred the use of conventional medicines in treating diarrhoea among under-five children and held the belief that a specific form of diarrhoea among under-five children is caused by witchcraft. It was also revealed that traditional medicines are the only types of medication that can treat this form of diarrhoea among under-five children. Plants were the primary source of many traditional remedies that were purported to be able to treat perceived witchcraft-related diarrhoea among under-five children.

Conclusion: Most participants believed that there is a specific form of diarrhoea among children that is caused by witchcraft, and they boldly stated that traditional medicines are the only treatment option for this form of diarrhoea. Thorough research on this topic is essential. If additional research confirms that conventional remedies effectively treat the illness, these treatments should be extended to other serious illnesses the community suffers from.