Traditional medicine vs. modern medicine for AIDS.

This plant of Aloe dawei (IGIKAKARUBAMBA in our language) is most used with the traditional healers

To a****s the factors and perceptions determining choice between traditional and Western medicine (WM) among urban African women when confronting illness in general, and AIDS in particular. DESCRIPTION: Forty
women and 25 traditional healers (TH) were interviewed. Women were randomly
selected among subjects of a prospective cohort study on the natural history
and prevention of AIDS in Kigali, Rwanda (Project San Francisco). Both subjects
and healers (58% male) were interviewed in the local language using a standardized
questionnaire. TH were asked about illnesses treated, their specialty, training
and demographic background. Subjects were asked about the cultural, physical,
and social reasons for choosing either treatment, degree of success, and the
costs of traditional and modern treatments. RESULTS: The majority of women were
concurrently using traditional and WM. Among the reasons for use of TH; 30% of
respondents believed in the greater effectiveness of the former over the latter
for poisoning, dermatitis (including herpes zoster), abscesses, pregnancy and
infertility. Poisoning was defined as weight loss, nausea, weakness, swelling
of limbs and other minor symptoms. Other reasons for choosing TH were
dissatisfaction with the hospital including treatment failure (13%), better
accessibility of TH (10%), and preference for TH medication (10%). Reasons for
consulting WM were: perceived appropriateness for specific illnesses, and
exploratory medical technology (blood examinations and x-ray) for illnesses
perceived as internal. Seven out of 40 women stated they did not consult TH.
These women did not differ with respect to age, education, income, or HIV
sero-status from those using traditional medicine. All women stated that TH
treat certain illnesses better than WM, even those stating they did not consult
the TH. All TH had heard of AIDS, knew the modes of transmission and the major
signs. Three TH had a university level education while 32% had no formal
education. Five claimed to have successfully treated AIDS patients, while 28%
stated herpes zoster as their specialty. CONCLUSIONS: Women interviewed are
critically using both Western and traditional medicine. Women were found to
consult TH for specific symptoms including certain HIV related manifestations.
TH were highly interested in collaborating with western trained physicians.