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Indian Pediatr 2014;51: 321 |
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‘Charms’ in Childrearing
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BP Nagesh and H Ramesh
Department of Pediatrics, JJM Medical
College, Davanagere, Karnataka, India.
Email:
[email protected]
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Traditional or cultural practices are time honored rituals
and beliefs which are prevalent in the community and they
may pertain to a wide range of activities. A charm is
defined as something worn about the person to ward off evil
or ensure good fortune. Commonest purpose for use of a charm
is for general wellbeing, and is found to be higher among
people living in rural areas in joint family with poor
socioeconomic status, or with advanced age of parents and
poor literacy status of parents.
The traditional practices are so
ingrained in the society that it is difficult to change them
even when they are identified to be useless or harmful [1].
Though harmless, their presence can be a source of infection
due to frequent contamination [2]. Moreover, they often
result in delay in health-seeking with resultant
deterioration of the child [3].
This study was done between October 2011
and September 2012 in the Department of Pediatrics, JJM
Medical College, Davanagere. We studied 1000 children (500
cases with charms and 500 controls without charms) attending
the hospital for the presence of Charms, and factors related
to their usage; using a structured form, followed by
interview with a single researcher (ANR). The case and
control groups were comparable in terms of age, gender
composition and religion. More than two-third cases (77.2%)
and controls (71.2%) were younger than 5 years. There were
no differences between cases and controls with respected to
sex distribution (62.2% and 64.4% males) and religion (91%
and 87.6% Hindus). 64% and 36% were from rural and urban
areas. The various types of charms in the study were:
Tayatha 41.2%, Ele (thread) and Anthra
26.1%, Drishtimani (string of beads) 10.6% and
Cheeti 10.6% . Other types constituted around 12%.
Similar observations have been reported by other studies
[4,5]. Most of the charms used are harmless. Each charm is
usually related to particular symptoms or a disease, but
most are non-specific. It can be suggested that culture and
health beliefs should be taken into account when training
programs are prepared to change traditional child care
practices and to promote health behavior. A pediatrician
should understand the local tradition and charms, which can
guide in the clinical practice. Nursing education
curriculums should also train nurses to assess traditional
practices, to reinforce positive cultural practices, and to
discourage potentially harmful ones.
Almost all the charms in the study were
harmless. The results of this study can help health
professionals to recognize the role of traditions in child
health.
Acknowledgements: Dr AN Ramya and Dr
CR Banapurmath.
References
1. Singh M. Care of the Newborn: 7thed.
New Delhi: Sagar Publications; 2010.
2. Taneja DK, Singhal PK, Dhawan S.
Superstitions in pediatric illnessess among rural mothers.
Indian Pediatr.1988;25:447-52.
3. Kushwaha KP, Mathur GP, Mathur S,
Singh YD, Sati TR. Superstitious therapy during illnesses of
pre-school children. Indian Pediatr.1986;23:163-8.
4. Shukla RS, Bhambal SS, Bhandari NR.
Study of superstitions and practices in under five. Indian
Pediatr. 1979;16:403-8.
5. Krishnamurthy, Rajgopal T. Folk lore and child rearing
practices in South India. In: Current Topics in
Pediatrics. New Delhi, Interprint, Mehta House, 1977. p.
507.
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