[Aspects of the popular attitude about diarrhea among Tswana-speaking urbanites]

This article contains a general overview of cultural perceptions of diarrhoeal disease amongst infants as expressed by Tswana-speaking urbanites. Attention is mainly given to the perception of gastro-enteritis. The research on which this article is based was concluded during 1984. The article indicates that a majority of respondents maintains the view that aetiologically it is possible to distinguish between three categories of illness, viz. illness of sorcery, illness of the shades or ancestors and "natural" illness or illness that "just happens". Within this general aetiological frame, serious diarrhoeal disease of infants is usually seen as sorcery related. Contact of infants with people regarded as ritually polluted is seen as a major causal agency. It is conceptualised as infants being "stepped upon" by "tracks". It causes an illness known as "phogwane", which can be interpreted as "sunken fontanelle". The concept "kokwana", which can be interpreted as "intestinal snake", is however also used to indicate serious diarrhoeal illness. In the case of "kokwana" it is said that the snake, "sent" to the child through witchcraft, "eats" the child's food and the child itself. Although many of the respondents were in doubt, the majority were of the opinion that Western doctors do not really understand the treatment of these dangerous illnesses. The author believes that nursing practitioners who are involved in health education services should take note of these popular conceptions of gastroenteritis. Knowledge of these views should be used during education session in a meaningful way, to tactfully dissipate "misconceptions".