Malaria or kalimbe: how to choose?

Abstract Should the Kalimbe (a traditional Amerindian loincloth) be banned, based on its association with an increased risk of malaria? Studies on malaria conducted on Amerindian children in the Oyapock region, French Guiana suggest that there is an argument for replacing the Kalimbe with a modern a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Malaria Journal
Main Author: Carme Bernard
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: BMC 2009
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-8-280
https://doaj.org/article/4178b116a6694bf9b23a5cb80f3fa013
Description
Summary:Abstract Should the Kalimbe (a traditional Amerindian loincloth) be banned, based on its association with an increased risk of malaria? Studies on malaria conducted on Amerindian children in the Oyapock region, French Guiana suggest that there is an argument for replacing the Kalimbe with a modern alternative. However, the wider issue of how the positive (risk reduction and related benefits) and negative effects (exacerbation of acculturation processes and associated consequences) should be assessed needs to be considered before suggesting a change in ancestral behaviour for medical purposes. A multidisciplinary approach is needed, together with caution and humility from epidemiologists.