Table 1. Sickness types reported by women and families in the villages.

Sickness types	Beliefs
Type 1 Sickness: God as a cause and alleviator/cure of sickness
• Influence of the forest God (Lasolja/ Ban Dewata); • Influence of the God of the parent’s home (Maiti Dewata), God of the in-law’s home (Poili Dewata), and God of a family clan (Kul Dewata); • Astrological hindrance (Grahalagne); • Influence of a ghost (Bhut/Lago/Masanlagne); • Witchcraft, evil eye (Boksolagne/Koptini); • Influence of dead spirits of family or close relatives (Muiyalagne); • Influence of the snake God (Naglagne);	God is a major cause of sickness, and pleasing God is believed to be the key solution to alleviate sickness. Faith healers are sought for prayers, Mantra recitations, offerings (animal sacrifices and others), provision of amulets etc.
Type 2 Sickness- God as a cause, with alleviation/cure through God and local traditional therapy
• Continued baby loss related to weakness of womb (Mojhlagne); • Effects of heat with symptoms of diarrhoea and fever (Taaplagne); • Cough and cold (Sardilagne); • Pseudo teeth in baby’s neck (Chordat); • Sudden rainbow attack and death (Banlagne).	God is attributed as a cause, yet care is combined with local herbs. Faith healers who practise both faith healing and herbal practices are sought. These are characteristics of infections (diarrhoea, pneumonia, tetanus in babies) and anaemia and malnutrition in women.