Authors: Ngang, P.N.¹; Ntaganira, J.²; Kalk, A.³; Wolter, S.⁴; Ecks, S.⁵

Source: The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Volume 11, Number 10, October 2007 , pp. 1108-1113(6)

Publisher: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

Abstract:

SETTING: Two southern provinces of Rwanda, Butare and Gikongoro.

OBJECTIVES: To identify beliefs and popular perceptions on cough and tuberculosis (TB) in rural Rwanda and determine how they shape health-seeking behaviour.

METHODS: Eight focus group discussions, 21 key informant interviews and 12 illness narratives were conducted between May and June 2004.

STUDY POPULATION: TB patients, community members, traditional healers and health workers.

RESULTS: There is wide use of herbal treatment for chronic cough in Rwanda. Patients seek conventional care when alternative treatment options fail or when severe symptoms such as shortness of breath, bloody sputum and weight loss appear. There are several local illnesses associated with chronic cough, with different alternative treatments. TB symptoms are often mistaken for the acquired immune-deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Identified causes for cough-related illnesses can be classified as biomedical (germs, internal body dysfunction and worms), environmental (seasonal changes and dust), cultural (inheritance), socio-economic (hard work, malnutrition and tobacco), and supernatural (witchcraft). Three health-seeking end points emerge for chronic cough: home care, health facility and the traditional healer. Healers in some areas, however, believe TB due to witchcraft can only be treated traditionally.

CONCLUSION: This study unveils beliefs and treatment options for chronic cough in Rwanda, with important implications for TB control that should be addressed.

Keywords: cough; tuberculosis; health-seeking behaviour

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Central Hospital Yaounde, Yaounde, Cameroon 2: School of Public Health, National University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda 3: Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit, Kigali, Rwanda 4: Department of Tropical Hygiene and Public Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany 5: Department of Anthropology, South Asian Institute, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

Publication date: 2007-10-01

More about this publication?

• The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease publishes articles on all aspects of lung health, including public health-related issues such as training programmes, cost-benefit analysis, legislation, epidemiology, intervention studies and health systems research. The IJTLD is dedicated to the continuing education of physicians and health personnel and the dissemination of information on tuberculosis and lung health world-wide.

  Certain IJTLD articles are selected for translation into French, Spanish, Chinese or Russian. They are available on the Union website

• Editorial Board
• Information for Authors
• Subscribe to this Title
• ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Internal Medicine
• By this author: Ngang, P.N. ;  Ntaganira, J. ;  Kalk, A. ;  Wolter, S. ;  Ecks, S.

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers