A targetted intervention research on traditional healer perspectives of sexually transmitted illnesses in urban Zambia. Current research.

Interviews with 81 traditional healers from 4 Copperbelt towns in Zambia (Chililabombwe Chingola Luanshya and Mufulira) investigated healers understanding of attitudes toward and management of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). In general Zambian traditional healers had detailed constructs of the physiology and infective processes underlying syphilis gonorrhea chancroid and AIDS. STDs were considered to be caused by "dirt" or contamination residing in sperm or vaginal fluids and were closely linked to violations of moral codes. Healers shared complex nosologies based on distinctions between symptoms of different STD pathologies that were more inclusive than biomedical categories. Although condom use was not promoted healers understood the importance of preventing an infective agent from passing from one person to another. Except for AIDS STDs were considered curable by expelling the dirt through purgatives or emetics. Modern medicine was perceived as treating only STD symptoms not curing. Most traditional healers insisted that the infected partner bring the other partner for consultation or treatment was withheld. Since these findings identified some areas of compatibility between indigenous and biomedical models of STDs the Traditional Medicine Unit of the Ministry of Health and the HIV/AIDS Prevention Project of the Morehouse School of Medicine (Lusaka) established a program in which traditional healers receive AIDS training and learn to counsel clients on safer sex behaviors. Follow-up entails monthly meetings between health professionals and traditional healers. Since program initiation in June 1994 800 traditional healers and 70 health professionals have participated. Traditional healers now sell condoms to their clients through a social marketing program.