Afro-centric religious consultations as treatment for psychotic disorders among day hospital patients in Santiago de Cuba

We investigated the utilisation of Afro-centric religious treatments for psychotic disorders among a sample of Cuban day hospital patients. Most (55%) had used such treatments and this practice was more common among older persons, although unassociated with any particular religious background or rac...

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Published inMental health, religion & culture Vol. 14; no. 7; pp. 691 - 701
Main Authors Gibson, Roger Carl, Morgado, Alain Jiménez, Brosyle, Alberto Cutie, Mesa, Elena Hamilton, Sanchéz, Concepción Hechavarría
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Abingdon Routledge 01.09.2011
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects
African traditional medicine
Black people
Cuba
Medical treatment
Mental disorders
Older people
psychotic disorders
religion and medicine
Rites & ceremonies
spiritual therapies
Cuba
Santiago de Cuba Cuba
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Summary:We investigated the utilisation of Afro-centric religious treatments for psychotic disorders among a sample of Cuban day hospital patients. Most (55%) had used such treatments and this practice was more common among older persons, although unassociated with any particular religious background or racial heritage. Persons who preferred Afro-centric religious practices to medical ones were more likely to be of African descent or to have received an Afro-centric religious ritual bath as treatment. A case is made for destigmatising Afro-centric religious treatments and for exploring treatment approaches that combine both medical and religious practices in order to achieve more holistic care.
ISSN:1367-4676
1469-9737
DOI:10.1080/13674676.2010.511643