O uso da medicina indígena para tratamento de acidentes ofídicos em dois Distritos Sanitáros Especiais Indígenas

Abstract

Know the practices of using indigenous medicine to treat snakebites, considering its therapeutic application and the indigenous worldview. Method: This is a survey-type, cross- sectional, descriptive study of a quantitative nature, carried out in two Special Indigenous Health Districts. Interviews were carried out with indigenous victims of snakebites who used indigenous medicine practices as treatment, using a survey with demographic and socioeconomic variables, information about the accident and the therapeutic resources used. Data were collected by three nurses trained by the researcher, through a survey prepared in Portuguese (pt-BR). For data analysis, Stata 17 and QGIS 3.14 software were used. Results: 187 indigenous people participated in the research, 131 (70.1%) from DSEI Alto Rio Solimões and 56 (29.9%) from DSEI Alto Rio Negro. Among the therapeutic approaches most cited by interviewees were the use of herbs (13.8%), root infusions (13.8%), tea associated with blessings (10.1%) and salt (9.2%). Conclusion: Indigenous medicine has several resources, its preparation and application methods vary, often being the first and, in many cases, the only treatment option, with the aim of helping and reducing the effects of the poison. Its use is due to cultural and logistical reasons