[Kirikirimasien (epilepsy) in Mali: etiologic and nosologic dimensions]. / Etude du Kirikirimasien (épilepsie) au Mali: dimensions étiologique et nosographique.

Epilepsy is a chronic, disabling disease. Its incidence in Mali is 15.6 cases per 1000 people which is four to five times higher than in the West. Kirikirimasien is the name of a local bambaran disease entity similar to epilepsy with respect to both manifestations and course. A field study in a rural, bambaran area was performed to ascertain the nosologic nature of kirikirimasien and determine whether it was comparable with epilepsy in the west. Interviews with patients, family, friends, and healers were carried out and analyzed using qualitative investigative techniques, results showed that diagnosis was established on the basis of symptoms as well as underlying etiology. Nosologic information from the descriptions was correlated with contextual data in order to better understand the nature of the disease. To some extent close attention to pathologic signs associated with this disease such as dreaming and running away, revealed the important sociocultural dimension of kirikirimasien. This dimension is further supported by circumlocutions to avoid pronouncing the name of this disease considered as socially unacceptable. In summary, the sociocultural implications of kirikirimasien are evident in both criteria used for diagnosis and language used to describe it.

[Anthropology and cardiology in Niamey (Niger)]. / Anthropologie et cardiologie à Niamey (Niger).

The study concern the folk interpretation of heart disease and describe the meaning of these sickness and illness in zarma ethnic group. This work shows many dissonances between health personnel and patients. In many ways these lacks of understanding are prejudiciable. It incites patients to use popular health system and doesn't permit the patient to understand his disease and his treatment. The study emphasize fact of studying and paying attention closely to popular meaning and interpretation systems. Medical team have to take care of patient's representation. In short, chronic heart disease obliges to include anthropologic data in medical care activity.

Midwives in Niger: an uncomfortable position between social behaviours and health care constraints.

Maternal mortality rates are very high in developing countries. In Niamey, the capital of Niger, maternal mortality rate is 280/100,000, in spite of a high concentration of health services and of health personnel. Several studies demonstrated that the efficiency of maternal health services was low, both because the quality and the quantity of work were insufficient. The usual response to the poor performances of health services in developing countries is mainly technical. If improvement of the training of health personnel and re-organization of health services are necessary, they are not sufficient. A good effectiveness of care cannot be achieved without a mutual confident relationship between providers and patients. Focus group discussions were held in Niamey with women users of maternal health services, with student midwives and experienced midwives. Sources of complaints between providers and patients appeared to be numerous. However, they are centered around two themes, delivery techniques and cultural requirements, which correspond to two types of constraints: technical constraints and social representations and practices of the population. A description of traditional practices and beliefs related to delivery were obtained through discussion groups with old women and traditional birth attendants (TBAs). Both women and midwives are tied up by the same social rules (e.g. linguistic taboos, respect and shame) but technical constraints force midwives to violate those rules, making the application of their technical skills very difficult. Thus, the mutual relationship between users and providers is source of dissatisfaction, which often degenerates into an open confrontation. Midwives must learn how to implement obstetrical techniques within specific cultural environments.