Incorporating sociocultural beliefs in mental health services in Kwaio, Solomon Islands.
David Maclaren, James Asugeni, Rowena Asugeni, Esau Kekeubata
Australasian psychiatry : bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists August 1, 2009 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1080/10398560902948381 via PubMed
Summary
A new mental health service at Atoifi Adventist Hospital in the Solomon Islands works with the Kwaio community to incorporate local beliefs into care. In early 2008, interviews in five remote hamlets with 20 people who had experienced buru spirit possession and 30 family members revealed that buru possession causes mutism, suicidal ideas, delusion, aggression, and social isolation. Traditional healers treat possession: 50% of people are cured, 30% temporarily cured, and 20% see no effect. The service integrates these beliefs to improve prevention, treatment, and recovery.
Study at a glance
| Design | qualitative study |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 50 |
| Population | people with a history of buru spirit possession and their family members in East Kwaio, Malaita Province, Solomon Islands |
| Key finding | Traditional healers in East Kwaio report that 50% of people with buru possession are cured, 30% temporarily cured, and 20% see no effect from treatment. |
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to describe the newly established mental health services at Atoifi Adventist Hospital, Solomon Islands, the sociocultural context in which it operates, and illustrate how the service is engaging with the Kwaio community to understand and incorporate local sociocultural beliefs into prevention, treatment and recovery journeys. Five remote hamlets in East Kwaio, Malaita Province were visited in early 2008. Interviews were undertaken with 20 people with a history of buru spirit possession and 30 of their family members. Buru is a category of wild and malevolent spirits that possess people in East Kwaio and induce antisocial and unexpected behaviour. Signs of buru possession include mutism, suicidal ideas, delusion, aggression and social isolation. Traditional healers practice indigenous treatments with 50% of people receiving treatments described as cured, 30% temporary cured and 20% no effect from treatment. The new mental health service at Atoifi is taking steps to incorporate sociocultural beliefs, including of people possessed by buru, into routine practice. This provides a greater potential to support prevention, treatment and recovery journeys to advance the community's social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.