Table 2 Local illness concepts, classification, and treatment
Concept | Definition | Classification | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
Senoon | It is believed to be caused by teething manifested by fever, with or without diarrhea, and chest problems, associated with poor appetite, hotness of child’s head, abrading and redness of gums, and excessive salivation | Sometimes not for medical treatment | Nothing or drugs |
Lafkha | It is thought to be caused by having a Demon inside of child, or when the child comes under the power of a demon if he/she sits alone for a long time or goes outside during the night. It results in abnormal and strange behavior, loud crying and shouting, and hitting heads on the wall or ground. | Always not for medical treatment | Qur’an reading by Ashaikha as it expels the Demons out. |
Halib | It is believed to be caused by dietary errors, manifested by watery diarrhea with or without vomiting | Always not for medical treatment | Ghutrah b |
Didan | It is thought to be caused by worms and parasites. It is manifested by loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, with changes in the composition of stool and foul smell. | Sometimes not for medical treatment | Herbs or drugs |
Raqaba | It is believed to be caused by falling down, manifested by vomiting and extreme tiredness with loss of appetite with or without fever and frequent stool. | Always not for medical treatment | Tarqeeb c |
Ayn | It is an Islamic concept believed to be caused by an evil person’s gaze (eye) that is loaded with admiration which harms whoever is looked at, manifested by a prolonged illness of any type that fails to respond to any medical or traditional treatment | Always not for medical treatment | Qur’an and pouring the wash-water of the eye-giver on the eye receiver |