Savoirs locaux et sante infantile : perceptions et usages des amulettes protectrices sur la sante des enfants a Mongo/Tchad

Abstract

The observation that health and disease aren’t just biological datas, but they are also the result of sociocultural constructions is not recent. However, when the socially constructed aspect of health and disease gets by far more important in the eyes of the viewers than their biological aspect, the therapeutic options can also be too far from the physiological ground of the disease. So much so that their assigned objective of healing can probably never get reached. On the contrary, it is the reverse effect, namely the aggravation of the illness, that can occur. This study permits on all aspects to prove that point of view in that sense that it seeks to understand how the recourse to protection amulets as therapeutic options impacts on infantile health. A qualitative survey enlightened by the Health belief model theory and the Theorem of Thomas, focussing on the most preferred therapeutic options of parents for their children, on the reasons for these preferences, and on the perceptions and representations surrounding the issue of protection amulets has allowed us to conclude that there is a very strong belief in the ‘’efficiency’’ of protection amulets. Having had, prior to our survey, an in- depth discussion with health personels, and having also taken into account the relatively high rate of morbidity and mortality in the locality of Mongo, we have come to the conclusion that the recourse to the doubtful therapy of protection amulets has a serious impact on infantile health in Mongo.