Haiti has several types of ethnomedical practitioners such as
voodoo priests and
priestesses, docte fey or
medsen fey (leaf doctors), and docte zo (bone setters).
21 Since the 1800s, these ethnomedical practitioners have provided health care for the Haitian people.
21,22 Approximately 40% of Haitians rely solely on traditional ethnomedical practices for health care,
23 and nearly all Haitians use ethnomedical practices for some of their health care needs.
21
The practices of voodoo priests and priestesses, docte fey, and docte zo represent the health and spiritual beliefs that are part of a long cultural continuum.
21 The ethnomedical practices of Haiti are similar to those of other countries of Latin America in that they stem from the belief that disease causation is mediated through a hot-cold humoral system. According to this theory, disease is defined as a disruption of the natural equilibrium of the humoral system.
21 Spiritual (ie, good and evil) illnesses are managed by voodoo priests and priestesses. These voodoo practitioners are more common in rural Haiti and have extensive knowledge of phytomedicinals (ie, medicine derived from plants), as well as prayers, songs, and religious rituals. Voodoo practitioners are usually required to complete a lengthy apprenticeship before they assume their roles.
21 Docte fey are the most common ethnomedical practitioners.
21 They treat patients who have common colds, helminth infections, diarrhea, and stomachaches. Lastly, the docte zo treat patients who have broken bones, musculoskeletal maladies, and joint discomfort. Treatment techniques used by the docte zo include massage, physical manipulation, poultices, and prayer.