Paper short abstract:

The aim of this study is to explore the health-seeking behaviour for scabies among South Sudanese refugees in Bantui. The study was conducted using in-depth interviews, participant observation, and focused group discussions. It was found that participants treat scabies using homemade remedies.

Paper long abstract:

The aim of this study is to explore the health-seeking behaviour for scabies among the south Sudanese refugees in Bantui, Khartoum, which included a total of 47 participants. The study was conducted using qualitative methods including in-depth

interviews, participant observation, and focused group discussions.

Bantui is an open space (ex-refugee camp) that includes around 35,000 residents, with only one health care service provider called Al-Manar charity organization. That offers a mobile clinic twice a month to see 20 patients from Bantui and 20 patients from the hosting community because they have limited working hours due to security reasons.

It was found that scabies is a stigmatizing condition for South Sudanese, known as “Ashwajang” in slang language. For managing it back in South Sudan, they used particular trees, cow urine, and other cow elements. However, because these components are not available in Bantui and because of the minimal health service, participants tend to treat scabies using certain homemade remedies due to their availability and affordability, including oil, salt, and lemon. The study shows in addition to various cultural beliefs and health practices, various structural factors like lack of water, small housing, lack of health service providers, and scabicide shortages influence refugees health-seeking behaviour.

Failure to purchase medicines and prematurely discontinued medications due to the non-availability and unaffordable cost of medicines explain how an underprivileged population suffers from a disease poverty trap and health disparity. This study demonstrates how the health of South Sudanese refugees in Bantui is influenced by structural violence.