AEGiS-11IAC: A kabpe to ascertain whether HIV/AIDS is an occupational risk to traditional healers.

11th International AIDS Conference


Vancouver, British Columbia — July 7-12, 1996

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A kabpe to ascertain whether HIV/AIDS is an occupational risk to traditional healers.

Int Conf AIDS 1996 Jul 7-12; 11:460 (abstract no. Pub.C.1138)
Goodwell CV; Bobonong, Botswana. Fax: (267) 819271/296.

ISSUE: Are Africa traditional healers who see approximately 70% of Africa patients not exposed to HIV by their profession?

OBJECTIVE: To determine risk behaviour among traditional healers during their day-to-day work. Method: KABPE survey 81 randomly traditional healers selected from 17 villages surveyedin Bobirwa, Botswana.

RESULTS: Most traditional healers handle wounds with their bare hands. Some use their mouths to remove 'charms' through skin incisions. Their general knowledge on HIV/AIDS is poor. They do not believe in the germ theory. Some have wrong beliefs and misconceptions about HIV/AIDS.

CONCLUSION: Traditional healers are a High Risk group of contracting and transmitting HIV/AIDS due to their occupation.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV, HIV Infections, Risk, HIV-1, HIV Seropositivity, Data Collection, Botswana, Africa, Human, ICA11KWDaegis,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,hiv,hivinfections,risk,hiv-1,hivseropositivity,datacollection,botswana,africa,human,ica11

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PubC1138

Copyright © 1996 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.