Traditional medicine as an alternative form of health care system: A preliminary case study of Nangabo sub-county, central Uganda

Abstract

This study was conducted in Nangabo sub-county of Wakiso district. The purpose was to document the common Traditional Medicine (TM) practices; assess the local people's preferences for TM versus western medicine (WM) and lastly to determine the awareness about the importance of TM by local people. Data were collected using semi-structured administered face-to-face with respondents. A total of 120 interviewed. Six focused group discussions (FGDs) were held to validate the questionnaire responses. Data were analyzed descriptively using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings indicated that most (43%) respondents derive their livelihoods from traditional medicine practices. Three forms of TM were reportedherbalism (67%), spiritual counseling (23%) and bone setting (10%). Although the majority (81%) of respondents were quite aware of the importance of TM in the sustenance of health care system, majority (55%) of them shunned TM in preference to WM, largely because of the belief that TM is evil-founded and devilish in nature. Only 45% of the respondents preferred TM to WM. The main reasons given for visiting TM practioners rather than western medical practitioners were that TM is sometimes more effective than WM and that in many instances it has very minimal side effects on the human body. There is, however, a need for Ugandan government to legitimize the practice of TM since it contributes a lot to health care needs in areas where western medicine is insufficiently provided. In addition, there is a need for further research into the efficacy and safety of traditional medicines if it is to be adequately integrated into western medicine.

Use of traditional and complementary medicines by cancer patients at a national cancer referral facility in a low‐income country

“…In this study, the most common types of T&CM used were extracts from leaves of various plants, mixed liquids already bottled, spiritual practices and prayers, and extracts from roots of various plants. Our findings are similar to those from other studies, in that patients with cancer often use several types of T&CM concurrently and or sequentially with each other, and with conventional cancer treatment (Galabuzi, Agea, Fungo, & Kamoga, ; Lee et al, ; Molassiotis et al, ; Sullivan, Gilbar, & Curtain, ). It is important to note the high proportion of T&CM users who engaged in spiritual practices and prayers as a means to deal with their cancers.…”

Evaluation of Woody Plants Used by Pandam, Namu and Kayarda Communities in Tropical Woody Savanna, Nigeria

“…All woody plants investigated in the study except Afzeliaafricana, (25 or 99% ) have medicinal uses, agreeing with [9] and [2].The indication therein is that health-care delivery is still a major problem faced by rural people who on the alternative make use of the plants around them.…”

“…Advances in modern medicine has prompted a renewed interest in the use of traditional medicine approach to meet health care needs of people all over the world especially rural dwellers of developing countries,thus making plants the spotlight [1]. It has been estimated [2] that about 70% of the population in tropical Africa rely on the use of different plants to meet their health care services. Reference [3] stated that about 80% of the world's population use medicinal plants in the treatment of diseases.…”

Implications of healing power and positioning for collaboration between formal mental health services and traditional/alternative medicine: the case of Ghana

“…Some previous studies have explored the use of traditional and alternative medicine (TAM) by patients and caregivers of people living with mental illness in different African contexts [6–11]. These small-scale studies have argued that generally, patients and caregivers seek the services of TAM practitioners because they are more easily accessible and often more flexible in terms of payment structures, but also because their values, concepts and beliefs are similar to those of the patients.…”