F. Nienga :CONTRIBUTION OF TRADITIONAL HEALERS IN MENTAL HEALTH CARE

Africa has a small and diminishing number of practicing mental health workers. Most of sub-saharan Africa has less than one psychiatrist per million population. Some African countries do not have a single psychiatrist. The majority of people suffering from psychiatric disorders are in the circumstances seen by traditional healers, who are in most cases the first point of contact with patients. This paper describes a Kenyan project that examines the knowledge, attitude and practices of traditional health workers in a rural setting. More than 90% were male, with an average age of 55 years and a mean duration of practice of 22 years. 50% had primary education (7 years) while a third had no formal education. 70 percent had undergone apprenticeships with a father or grandfather with a mean duration of 17 years. Prayers, herbs and the removal of spirits were the main methods of treatment. Referral systems work in both directions, from the traditional healers to the health centers and back, creating in the region a harmonious working environment with mutual respect for each other’s skills. This model holds much promise for the future of mental health in Africa.