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'Killer' canines: the morbidity and mortality of ebino in northern Uganda
Author(s) -
Iriso Robert,
Accorsi Sandro,
Akena Stephen,
Amone Jackson,
Fabiani Massimo,
Ferrarese Nicoletta,
Lukwiya Matthew,
Rosolen Teresa,
Declich Silvia
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
tropical medicine and international health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1365-3156
pISSN - 1360-2276
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-3156.2000.00625.x
Subject(s) - medicine , case fatality rate , public health , mortality rate , vomiting , pediatrics , environmental health , population , nursing , surgery
Summary In northern Uganda, unerupted primary canine teeth are commonly extracted because they are believed to cause diarrhoea, vomiting, and fever. This practice, known as ebino , is performed under very crude conditions often using unclean tools. To evaluate the morbidity and mortality of complications related to ebino , we retrospectively analysed discharge records from the paediatric ward of Lacor Hospital, Gulu. In the period 1992–98, ebino ‐related complications, mainly sepsis and anaemia, were among the leading causes of admission ( n = 740) and hospital death ( n = 156, case fatality rate = 21.1%, proportional mortality rate = 3.3%). Discouraging the adoption of deeply rooted traditional practices that are potentially hazardous to health should be a public health priority in northern Uganda. This could be done by educating not only the general public, but also traditional healers and community and religious leaders, who could convey the knowledge to their people.