Common childhood illnesses and local perception in northern Uganda

Objective: This study was designed to examine the common childhood illnesses, local perception and belief in a rural community in Gulu district, during the conflict in northern Uganda. Methods: A cross sectional study using quantitative and qualitative methods. A pre-tested questionnaire was administered to 347 mothers in Unyama internally displaced persons' (IDP) camp in northern Uganda. The study was supported by the Belgian Technical cooperation. Results: According to mothers, malaria (23.2%), respiratory tract infections (21.5%) and diarrhoea (17.2%) are the most common childhood illnesses. The onset of illnesses is highest (25.9%) at three months. Majority of mothers 230 (66.3%) did not know the causes of the diseases, 66 (19%) believed it could be due to poor environmental/sanitary conditions in the camp, while 51 (14.7%) thought of heredity as the main cause. The mothers believe that un-erupted canine tooth buds/“false teeth” cause diarrhoea, cough, vomiting and failure to thrive in infants/children. The children are subject to extraction of the canine tooth buds using un-sterile crude instruments and application of herbs onto the wound. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates high prevalence of malaria, respiratory tract infections and diarrhoea caused by miro-organisms however the symptoms of these diseases are believed to be due to “false teeth" in Gulu district. Health education and sensitisation of the community members especially mothers about causes and management childhood illnesses as well as the dangers of tooth bud extractions should be emphasized by health workers.