Sociocultural considerations of mental health care and help-seeking in Uganda

Asiimwe, Ronald; Nuwagaba-K, Racheal D.; Dwanyen, Lekie; Kasujja, Rosco

doi:10.1016/j.ssmmh.2023.100232

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 82 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In Uganda, literature regarding beliefs and role of ancestral spirits in health management is limited (23)(24)(25). Therefore, we sought to explore the beliefs and role of ancestral spirits in health management among Baganda traditional healthcare spiritualists (Balubaale) from Central Uganda.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A grounded theory study of beliefs underlying use of ancestral spirits for healing among Baganda traditional spiritual healers in Central Uganda

Sekagya,

Muchunguzi,

Unnikrishnan

et al. 2024

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The increasing global sensitivity to spirituality in medicine and sociology has elevated the relevance of beliefs in ancestral spirits as an integral element in Africa’s multi-ethnic society and biocultural diversity for health management. However, ancestral spirituality in healthcare in the local context, remains sparse and elusive since most literature relates spirituality with religion and religious practices. The study sought to explore the beliefs in ancestral spirits utilized for health management among practicing Baganda traditional spiritual healers (Balubaale). Qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured in-depth interviews and partial integration observation methods from twelve (10M, 2F) purposively selected and recruited Balubaale from Central Uganda between 15th July 2019 and 29th April 2020, and we prospectively interacted with them for 24 months. Transcribed data was coded and thematically analyzed using ATLAS ti. 22 computer software based on grounded theory approach. Data revealed themes related to beliefs in spiritual powers of categories of ancestral spirits, sacred places, living plants and animals, non-living things such as fire, water, the Sun, and non-materials such as symbols and colors. Spiritual powers can be potentiated through rituals, sacrifice and communal activities all of which are utilized during health managements. In conclusion, Balubaale believe that illness and health management are influenced by ancestral spirits and spiritual powers contained in nature and creation therein. We recommend more exploratory studies among spiritualists of other tribes to contrast the findings.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%