Psychosocial assessment of lathyrism patients in rural Estie district of South Gondar, northern Ethiopia.
Three hundred and thirty three patients in the lathyrism endemic rural Estie district of Northern Ethiopia were interviewed and examined to assess the psychosocial impacts of neurolathyrism. The majority of the affected were in the age group of 11-20 years (43%) followed by 21-30 years (29%). Males were more affected than females (4.8:1). Peak occurrences of neurolathyrism was observed at time of mobilization of the population in villagization and land diversification schemes. Females were affected to lesser extent and at an earlier age than males. Neurolathyrism affected matrimony among the rural farming population where marriage is considered as the most significant social achievement of any young member of the society. Divorce rate due to paralysis was 28%. It also influenced the choice of occupation among the afflicted rural people. Many males went into ecclesiastical professions. A significant number of males also took up occupations which traditionally were considered to be exclusively for women like basketry and embroidery. More females, not withstanding their age, were engaged in cattle-keeping. During the study, the rural communities were made aware of the association of neurolathyrism and consumptions of grass pea seed. It is believed that this step will enable communities to use home-based detoxifying methods and resort to alternate crops during times of food shortage.
Getahun
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South Gondar Health Department.
Haimanot
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RT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002321:Career Choice; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007842:Lathyrism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012423:Rural Health; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires