Prise en Charge Traditionnelle des Maladies Mentales à Diapaga, Burkina Faso

RESUME Introduction : La maladie mentale constitue un probleme de sante publique. Les moyens therapeutiques en medecine modernes sont essentiellement : medicaments et psychotherapie. En Afrique, la medecine traditionnelle est le principal recours en cas de maladie mentale.L’objectif de la presente etude etait d’etudier la prise en charge des maladies mentales en medecine traditionnelle a Diapaga. Methodologie : Il s’agit d’une etude transversale descriptive. La collecte des donnees s’est deroulee du 15 mai au 15 juin 2014 a Diapaga. L’enquete a porte sur l’entretien et l’observation des pratiques d’un tradipraticien renomme et specialise dans la prise en charge des maladies mentales ; et sur l’entretien avec 14 patients et leurs familles. Resultats : Les motifs de consultation les plus frequents etaient : delire, repli social et hallucinations. Dans le processus de prise en charge, l’examen clinique commence systematiquement par un interrogatoire. Les moyens therapeutiques etaient : phytotherapie, flagellation therapeutique, causerie de groupe, ergotherapie, parties d’animaux, diazepam comprime, rasage, toilette suivie de procedes mystiques. Les plantes utilisees etaient : Ficus platyphylla, Ficus sur, Calotropis procera, Khaya senegalensis, Leptadenia hastata, Parkia biglobosa, Vetiveria nigritana, Bombax costatum, Sterculia setigera et Boscia angustifolia. Dans 76,92% des cas, l’evolution etait jugee favorable par les patients ou leur famille. Le tradipraticien n’entretenait pas de lien avec le systeme de sante moderne. Conclusion Il convient d’approfondir les connaissances des pratiques et approches, en mettant l’accent sur les plantes utilisees, developper la collaboration afin d’ameliorer l’offre de soins. ABSTRACT Introduction : Mental illness is a public health problem on the rise in the world, especially in countries with limited resources. In conventional medicine, its management is mostly based on drugs and psychotherapies. In Africa, traditional medicine provides additional therapeutic means in the treatment of mental illness and people use it preferentially. The purpose of this study was to describe the treatment of mental illness in traditional medicine in Diapaga. Methodology: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Data collection took place from May 15 to June 15, 2014 in Diapaga. The investigation consisted in interviews and observation of practices and a renowned traditional healer specialized in the management of mental illness; and the interview with 14 patients and their families. Results: The most frequent reasons for consultation were delirium, hallucinations and social withdrawal respectively. In the management process, the review begins systematically by clinical examination, sometimes followed by a physical examination. Treatment means were: plant parts, the therapeutic flagellation, group discussion, occupational therapy, medicines from animal parts, diazepam tablet, shaving, bath followed by mystical processes. The plants used were: Ficus platyphylla, Ficus sur, Calotropis procera, Khaya senegalensis, Leptadenia hastata, Parkia biglobosa, Vetiveria nigritana, Bombax costatum, and Sterculia setigera Boscia angustifolia. In 76.92% of cases, the outcome was considered favorable by patients or their families. The traditional healer did not entertain connection with the conventional health care system. Conclusion: It is necessary to deepen the knowledge of practices and approaches, with emphasis on plants used and to develop collaboration in order to improve health care services.