**5.7.5 Use of food to feel better when ill (Asked only of the older children ages 9-17)**

Out of 51 older youngsters, 30 (59%) reported that they drank specific beverages or ate specific food to help them feel better and for most this was helpful. More of the young

grandmother coming to take her away. She cries because her father was killed by the rebels and there is no one to help her mother care for her. The previous year when her mother was hospitalized, the mother's sister-in-law cared for the child. The child did poorly in school due to the hardships she went through during that period. One day during the same year the child ran away to the bush for just 1 day. Her mother saw her rolling on the ground and her mother heard spirits making sounds over the girl's head and the mother thought the girl was possessed or cursed. Two additional caregivers initially reported that their children did not experience spirit possession. Each caregiver then added that their child does get

The children in the study discussed various strategies that they used to help themselves

Almost universally (94 out of 98 youngsters) of both the older and younger age groups reported both believing in a religion and also found religious beliefs and praying helpful when coping with illness and emotional difficulties. The children came from Catholic,

**5.7.2 The use of alcohol or drugs (Asked only of the older children ages 9 through 17)**  No youngsters reported using street drugs. Only 2 children reported the use of alcohol and neither described it as a method of coping. One 10-year-old female from a rural village reported drinking 250 mgs of local brew with sugar "for enjoyment". One 10-year-old male from an urban village reported drinking alcohol on one occasion only – Christmas. He

**5.7.3 The use of traditional medicine/ceremonies (Asked only of older children 9-17)**  Seven youngsters from the 2 rural villages reported that they used traditional medicine or had used it in the past. Traditional medicines were described as tree bark, herbs or roots that were used to treat such ailments as cough, rash, vomiting and convulsions. Two of the youngsters who had used traditional medicine were not sure if it had been useful. From the 2 urban villages none of the youngsters reported using traditional medicines or ceremonies. However, one teenager felt that traditional beliefs and ceremonies were sometimes useful. Another youngster reported that some traditions are helpful but that some are not correct.

Almost universally, 50 out of 51 older children used medication that they received from a hospital or elsewhere when they were ill and found the medication useful. The medications that were specifically mentioned were: Panadol (Paracetamol), quinine and painkillers. Bathing in cold water to relieve fever or putting cold water on the head to relieve headache was also mentioned. Foods and beverages were also taken by some children when ill. All

**5.7.5 Use of food to feel better when ill (Asked only of the older children ages 9-17)**  Out of 51 older youngsters, 30 (59%) reported that they drank specific beverages or ate specific food to help them feel better and for most this was helpful. More of the young

**5.7.4 Coping when Ill (Asked only of the older children ages 9 through 17)** 

nightmares and, therefore, they wondered if the child had spirit possession.

**5.7 Coping strategies** 

**5.7.1 Religion** 

when they were sick, sad or angry.

Protestant and Muslim backgrounds.

drank alcohol because he saw adults drinking it.

the remedies were thought to be helpful.

people who lived in the urban villages ate or drank items for their wellbeing than did those in the rural villages. Some of the beverages the youngsters drank were juice, which gave energy and strength and improved appetite; tea, especially to reduce shivering: water which "added blood", and soda to relieve headaches. Some of the food items eaten were: peas to relieve headaches, beans, vegetables, rice, *posho* (bread made from maize or corn flour), eggs, porridge and fish.
