The potential role of cultural and religious healing practices in shaping community vulnerability to highly infectious diseases in western Kenya

Abstract

Abstract We draw from empirical research conducted in communities in three border counties in western Kenya – Homa Bay, Bungoma and West Pokot - to examine how cultural and religious beliefs and healing practices can potentially shape the vulnerability of those communities to highly infectious diseases. Fieldwork consisting of mixed methods namely, key informant interviews with traditional and religious healers as well as their patients, focus group discussions with community members knowledgeable on cultural customs and practices, and participatory inquiry workshops with health professionals and administrators were used to collect the data. We find that traditional and religious beliefs and healing practices potentially shape community vulnerability to highly infectious diseases in two major ways. First, is a dualistic illness etiology involving a biomedical and socio-cultural etiology. Unexplained illnesses and illnesses that did not respond to conventional medicine were treated using traditional medicine. Making traditional and religious healers the first mile treatment preference could potentially delay appropriate treatment and compromise safe handling in case the disease is highly infectious. Second aspect pertains to the risks in the traditional and spiritual healing practices. Shared consecrated water often fetched from a large water body, laying of hands, use of herbs and rituals involving slaughtering of animals enhanced contacts. The use of protective gears during healing was inconsistent among the healers, but largely lacking as many healers could not afford them or were considered to reduce patient’s faith in the healing powers. These practices potentially predispose people to highly infectious diseases and can hasten the spread and symptom severity. To reduce the vulnerability of border communities to highly infectious diseases, we argue for a need for comprehensive strategies that consider the intersecting factors of vulnerability to outbreaks, healing beliefs and practices. This may involve policy initiatives aimed at integrating traditional medicine practice and the mainstream health system.