Wartime children's suffering and quests for therapy in northern Uganda

Abstract

This ethnographic study investigated what wartime children identified as common illnesses which affected them and how they restored normality. The research findings were aimed at providing baseline information for policies and healthcare interventions consistent with children__s own needs and priorities. Qualitative ethnographic methods suitable for children aged 9-16 years were employed over a one year period in 2004-2005 and through visits to Gulu district in 2006 and 2007. A survey was conducted with 165 children (N=165), in addition to an extensive follow-up of 24 children. Data show that there was a high burden of illnesses among the children. Illnesses were mainly infectious diseases and complaints symptomatic of emotional distress. For infectious illnesses, children used herbal medicines and pharmaceuticals including prescription-only medicines like antibiotics and antimalarials. Coping mechanisms for emotional distress included discouraging open expression of suffering, using tranquilisers, atika plant (Labiate species), and engaging in income generating activities. Findings further highlight epistemological, methodological, theoretical, and policy issues regarding wartime children__s illness experiences and quests for wellbeing. Children readily discussed experiences with infectious illnesses because of their acute onset, primacy, and a priority. Infectious diseases are an immediate need and disorganize a relatively stable condition of emotional distress. Whereas some forms of emotional distress are severe and require immediate redress, there are no simple ways of dealing with them. Although this study underscores the importance of addressing wider socio-economic factors as effective preventive approaches in dealing with infectious diseases and emotional distress, I propose that it is fitting for children to engage in short term curative approaches in illness management, in the context of medical pluralism given the dire context in which they lived.