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Contemporary views on dementia as witchcraft in sub‐Saharan Africa: A systematic literature review
Author(s) -
Brooke Joanne,
Ojo Omorogieva
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of clinical nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.94
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1365-2702
pISSN - 0962-1067
DOI - 10.1111/jocn.15066
Subject(s) - dementia , cinahl , psycinfo , systematic review , checklist , health care , inclusion (mineral) , psychological intervention , thematic analysis , population , psychology , medicine , medline , nursing , gerontology , qualitative research , disease , sociology , political science , social psychology , social science , environmental health , pathology , law , cognitive psychology
Aim To explore the impact of cultural beliefs of dementia as witchcraft in sub‐Saharan Africa. Background The population of sub‐Saharan Africa is ageing, which increases the number of those at risk of dementia. Mental health and physical diseases that affect behaviour have often been associated with witchcraft. Accusations of witchcraft leave individuals vulnerable and at risk. Method A systematic review, which followed the Preferred Reporting for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and completed a PRISMA checklist. CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Knowledge, PubMed and Science Direct databases were searched for relevant studies published from their inception to 31 May 2019 by applying appropriate Medical Subject Headings. Data analysis adhered to Thomas and Harding's thematic synthesis. Results The review identified limited literature on this topic, with only five papers meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Studies explored health provision, and knowledge and beliefs of dementia in Tanzania and South Africa. Three themes emerged as follows: (a) poor knowledge of dementia, including the belief of dementia as witchcraft; (b) challenges of supporting a family member with dementia in the community; and (c) health‐seeking behaviours of and for people with dementia. Conclusion There remains a need for dementia awareness and education across sub‐Saharan Africa communities, including faith and traditional healers, and healthcare professionals to support pluralistic healthcare provision. Nurses are the best‐placed healthcare professionals to support these initiatives and the development and implementation of low‐resource nonpharmacological interventions to support people with dementia and their families living in the community. Relevance to clinical practice Nurses working in sub‐Saharan Africa and those caring for patients from sub‐Saharan Africa can only provide person‐centred care and support for a person with dementia and their family if they understand their cultural beliefs, one of which may include witchcraft.