Glenn Afungchwi|Peter Hesseling|Elena J. Ladas
The role of traditional healers in the diagnosis and management of Burkitt lymphoma in Cameroon: understanding the challenges and moving forward
Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services|Stellenbosch University|Columbia University Irving Medical Center
burkittlymphomabl common childhood cancer cameroon reported incidence 3 per 100000 children 15 years northwest region treatment three baptist mission hospitals recorded cure rate 50 traditional medicinetm recognized national health system scope undefined entraps children bl aim study investigate attitudes practices parents traditional healers th towards tm children bl order develop recommendations integrative approach improved access lifesaving treatment children bl descriptive case series children diagnosed bl treated banso mbingo mutengene baptist hospitals 2003 2014 questionnaire used obtain following information demographic information religion rate use tm reasons guardians chose use tm diagnoses made th treatment offered type payment requested based accounts patient caregivers data analyzed using center disease control epi info 7 three hundred eightyseven questionnaires completed parentsguardians 55 consulted th 761 consulted th first choice common diagnoses provided th included liver problem abscess witchcraft poison hernia side pain mushroom belly toothache methods management included massage cuts concoctions incantations fee services included chickens farm tools cash ranging 200fcfa 04usd 100000fcfa200usd choice tm based accessibility failed clinichospital attendance recommendation relatives belief tm th involved bl management cameroon th ignorant bl resulting nonreferral thus delay diagnosis treatment collaboration th could reduce late diagnosis improve cure rates bl childhood cancers