Using Kinship Structures in Health Programming—an Example of Preventive Measures and Successful Interventions

Public health has been transforming less advantaged rural communities insub-SaharanAfricawitha focuson improving technologies, and providing skilledmanpower tomanage and maintain them. Meanwhile, development and health indicators have continued to slide or remain below optimal levels. This failure is blamed on factors such as civil conflict, corruption, and conservativeness of traditional communities, to mention a few. However, ignorance and lack of involving the traditional African kinship system is rarely cited as a barrier to success. Indeed, research suggests it is a resource, particularly in rural communities, that has not yet been harnessed for socioeconomic and cultural development (1, 2).