THE CONTRIBUTION OF ANTHROPOLOGY TO THE S TUDY OF VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS IN TUNISIA

In order to determine the social and cultural factors which delay hosp italization of children suffering from visceral leishmaniasis (VL), a study was carried out in the rural area of Kairouan (Tunisia) Qualitat ive techniques were used to investigate beliefs and behaviours associa ted with the symptoms of VL. The study has demonstrated that the folk interpretation of the disease interferes largely with the choice of th e therapy Regarding VL, the subdivision of the disease into two groups of symptoms, fever and splenomegaly incites parents to consult doctor s in the presence of fever and use traditional healers when splenomega ly appears. This is responsible for long delays before the patients ca n have access to official health care. This investigation clearly demo nstrated that health education programme is needed in VL endemic areas in Tunisia in order to shorten delays between the appearance of sympt oms and their diagnosis. For this objective to be achieved, it would a lso seem necessary to implement simple serodiagnostic techniques at th e periphery level.