Table 2 Characteristics of the local health experts interviewed in Macaúba, Cacimbas and Maracujá

Local experts (Total)

27

18

21

Prayers/healers

19

9

11

Connoisseurs of medicinal plants

8

8

7

Root experts

0

1

0

Midwives

1*

1*

3 (1**)

Local experts/household

27/275 = 0.10

18/260 = 0.07

21/500 = 0.04

Women

78%

72%

86%

Men

22%

28%

14%

Average age (standard deviation)

68 yrs (sd = 13)

62 yrs (sd = 12)

62 yrs (sd = 15)

Occupation

Farmer

63%

66%

80%

Home care

22%

17%

19%

Harvesting of plants

40%

22%

14%

Retired

48%

33%

38%

Prayers, healers, midwives

7%

11%

10%

Other

7%

11%

10%