title: Traditional burn care in sub-Saharan Africa: a long history with wide acceptance.
abstract: Burns are very common in sub-Saharan Africa and are considered to be a major health care problem. The management of burns in many African countries is challenged by limited financial resources, inaccessible health care facilities, lack of trained professionals and superstition. These limitations are related to the many burned patients seeking treatment from traditional healers. The use of traditional remedies, plant and animal products are seen as an important aspect of burn management as it is both an affordable and respected treatment modality. Despite its popularity, the use of traditional burn care remedies is faced with many challenges as little research has been done on its effectiveness, dosage and adverse reactions. This paper reviewed the traditions and customs associated with traditional burn care as well as the use of plant, animal and mineral products used by traditional healers.
authors: Department of Paediatric Surgery, Red Cross Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. Electronic address: rene.j.albertyn@gmail.com.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Albertyn
authors: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Berg
authors: Department of Paediatric Surgery, Red Cross Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Numanoglu
authors: Department of Paediatric Surgery, Red Cross Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Rode
mesh_terms: D017954:Africa South of the Sahara; D002056:Burns / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care
keywords: Africa; Burns; Traditional medicine