Home > Geography, Earth Sciences > Vol 12 2024 Abstract 3
Mapping of Traditional Medical Practices in Kaduna State, Nigeria
Dr. Silas Joshua, Prof. M. Mamman, Prof. J.G Laah, Dr. Anslem Rimau Bako

Abstract
Traditional medicines have been in existence as the only source of health care provider in most African societies for centuries before the coming of orthodox medicine. As health seekers faces serious risk associated with cost, quality and delay in seeking appropriate healthcare over time and space, it is essential for policy makers in the Kaduna State to expand the amount and quality of care in traditional health practice so as to create access to healthcare. This study relied on data generated through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), Key Informant Interviews and questionnaire survey. A cursory look at the result shows that 99.3% of the respondents have traditional medicine centres, while 0.7% claimed they don’t, this is evident as most of the respondents affirmed that there are traditional medicine centres in their respective areas. On the number of people who patronize particular types of Traditional medicine centres available, the study shows that 28.5% are bonesetter; traditional birth attendant account for 25.0% while 24.75% are herbalist, also 12.75% are spiritualist, 5.5% are circumciser and no particular specialty have 1.25% and 1.75% respectively while others are traditional barbers. The implication is that most of the traditional medicine centres are available and is highly patronized by the people of Kaduna State because of their perception towards the usefulness of traditional medicine to cure different ailments. The One-Way ANOVA was performed to find out if there is space-time variation in the time of day for visitation to traditional medicine facility. The result obtain shows that there is a significant spatial and temporal variation in the time of the day for visitation among the selected LGAs (F =15.147, p<0.05). This therefore means that the time of the day for visitation to a particular traditional medicine facility varies across space and time. The factors identified in this study shows that patronage of traditional medicine has increased due to a number of factors, such as poor or non-effectiveness of synthetic drugs which are either fake and adulterated or expired. The study recommends that traditional medicine should explore the various dimensions of the revival and reinvention of traditional medicine practice in Kaduna State, Nigeria.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jges.v12a3