Perspectives of Health Care Providers in Rural Côte d'Ivoire on the Influence of Traditional Beliefs on the Management of Rheumatic Heart Disease: A Qualitative Study.

This article examines the perspectives of rural Côte d'Ivoire health care providers on the influence of traditional African medicine (TAM) and cultural beliefs in managing Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD), a significant cardiovascular condition linked to Group A streptococcal infections. Using qualitative methods with 24 doctors and nurses, the study identifies five key themes: integrating contemporary and traditional medicine, fostering community engagement and collaboration, enhancing patient education and awareness, respecting cultural beliefs in care delivery, and addressing delays in diagnosis and treatment. The findings highlight the potential benefits and challenges of combining TAM with modern medical practices, emphasizing the need for cultural competency training, legislative support, and improved communication between traditional healers and health professionals to improve RHD outcomes in rural settings. The study underscores the importance of culturally sensitive, community-based approaches and multisectoral collaboration to reduce health disparities and enhance care accessibility in Côte d'Ivoire’s rural areas.