Community perception regarding chronic filarial swellings: a case study of the Duruma of coastal Kenya.

The aim of this study, carried out between August 1991 and August 1992, was to understand community perception regarding chronic filarial swellings in Lutsangani village, Kwale district, Kenya. Interviews were conducted with 65 patients and informal discussions held with family and community members. The results indicate that bodily change is the concern of most patients who felt that their physical appearance influenced community reactions towards them. These reactions varied from sympathy to neglect. The community attributed elephantiasis to causes other than mosquitoes and these included witchcraft, sexual intercourse and consumption of burnt food. The patients noted the inability of any form of health care to alleviate their suffering. Medical anthropology and general medical knowledge have been used to interpret results.