Unconventional medical practices among Ghanaian students: A university-based survey

Abstract

Research on unconventional medical practices among students has proliferated lately in the global space, hitherto, little is known explicitly in Ghana. This paper teases out insights for recent utilisation patterns of traditional medical therapies at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana. A sample of 754, randomly selected undergraduates were involved in a retrospective cross-sectional survey. Data were analysed using multivariate logistic regression and Pearson's χ2 test with p < 0.05 as significant. Overall prevalence of traditional therapies consumption was 89.1% in the last 12 months. Herbal-based products (67%), prayer healing (15%) and body-mind therapies (11%) were principally used and, accessed through purchases from pharmacy shops (29%) and encounter with faith healers (26%). Although students' knowledge on traditional therapies was acquired through family members (50%) and media (23%), literary materials remained significant information routes for Science related students compared to the Non-science related counterparts (p < 0.001). Pursuing Non-science-related programme [odds ratio (OR) 6.154 (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.745–10.111; p < 0.001)] and having Christian faith [OR 2.450 (95% CI 1.359–4.415; p = 0.003)] were strongly associated with students' traditional therapies use. Although students exhibited positive attitude towards unconventional therapies, there is an urgent need to validate the quality of traditional therapies through randomised clinical trials and regulatory practices to ensure quality control. Health forces should intensify efforts towards intercultural health care system in Ghana.

Traditional, complementary and alternative medicine use in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

“…A similar high utilisation rate was reported among university students in Ghana (89.1%). 35 This rate was lower among medical students in both countries (Nigeria: 28% 159 ; Ghana: 56.7% 160 ) and among paramedical students in Nigeria (53.9%). 161 In Sierra Leone, 59.1% and 55.6% of graduating medical and nursing students 37 as well as all pharmacy students 36 used TCAM products.…”

“…A Ghanaian study observed that TCAM users were more likely to be Christians enrolled in non-science-related programmes at the university. 35 In Sierra Leone, healthcare students’ gender, age and year of study were not associated with TCAM use, 36 37 although being a Christian was associated with the use of spirituality/prayer among pharmacy students. 36 With regard to the general outpatient population, a study in Nigeria reported that women who were older, less educated and whose occupation was fishing were more likely to use crude oil as traditional medication.…”

Traditional, complementary and alternative medicine use in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

“…A similar high utilisation rate was reported among university students in Ghana (89.1%). 35 This rate was lower among medical students in both countries (Nigeria: 28% 159 ; Ghana: 56.7% 160 ) and among paramedical students in Nigeria (53.9%). 161 In Sierra Leone, 59.1%…”

“…130 TCAM users among students, healthcare professionals, academic staff and general outpatient population A Ghanaian study observed that TCAM users were more likely to be Christians enrolled in non-science-related programmes at the university. 35 In Sierra Leone, healthcare students' gender, age and year of study were not associated with TCAM use, 36 37 although being a Christian was associated with the use of spirituality/prayer among pharmacy students. 36 With regard to the general outpatient population, a study in Nigeria reported that women who were older, less educated and whose occupation was fishing were more likely to use crude oil as traditional medication.…”

Development of a Quantitative Scoring Method for Strobe Checklist

“…Following the development and piloting of the STROBE-M score checklist, we conducted a more formal evaluation of its inter-rater agreement. One reviewer (VL) selected 45 observational study publications (15 each from cross-sectional (23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37), cohort (38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49)(50)(51)(52), and case-control study (53-67) from ìPubMed databaseî published in the time period of 1 st March 2016 to 31 st May 2016 with the filters of English language, human studies, and full text availability. Irrelevant publications (opinion or critique of previous studies, letters to editors, meta-analysis were excluded (Fig.…”