CHAPTER 1: the sick child and medical secrecy in africa: from the influence of tradition to compliance with legal standards

Abstract

Historically, societies have shown a strong attachment to their culture, their ancestral practices and their religion. This intrinsic relationship undeniably reveals their belonging to an entity, whose uniqueness is strongly affirmed through tradition. Derived from the Latin of tradere, which means "to deliver, to transmit", it is defined as "a religious doctrine or practice, transmitted from generation to generation, by word or example1".