Traditional healers baseline survey in Gomba County (Uganda)

The survey collected data on the age, ethnicity, religion, education, years in practice, number of childhood diseases treated, and method of treatment of 437 traditional healers; the survey included a demographic profile of Gomba County and sessions to sensitize the community to the proposed pilot project. Survey findings indicated that in their treatment traditional healers try to stop diarrhea, but not dehydration, which they do not take as a serious consequence of diarrhea. In fact, healers are generally unaware of the danger signs of the illness and do not consider counseling of caretakers (generally, mothers) part of their practice. On the other hand, the survey showed that traditional healers are willing to collaborate with health workers and to participate in joint workshops on health matters. Since the survey, some 44 traditional healers have been identified as candidates for training under the proposed pilot project. It is recommended that training emphasize the use of easily available fluids in managing diarrhea and the value of a balanced diet during and after diarrhea. It is also recommended that attitude formation and change be included in the training of both trainers and participants to offset some of the negative attitudes held by different factions in the community, e.g., the reluctance of some health workers to refer patients to healers.