JOURNAL OF HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SPORTS SCIENCE (JOHESS)

ISSN:0795-2120
VOLUME 6 NUMER 1
A PULICATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PH!SICAL AND HEALTH
EDUCATION UNIVERSIT! OF MAIDU"URI, NI"ERIA
2007
JOURNAL OF HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SPORTS SCIENCE (JOHESS)
VOL# 6 NUMER 1, JUNE, 2007
ISSN 0795-2120
J$%&'() $* +,- D-.(&+/-'+ $* P,0123() ('4 H-()+, E4%3(+2$', U'25-&12+0 $*
M(24%6%&2
JOURNAL OF HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SPORTS SCIENCE (JOHESS)
Published by the Department of Physical and Health Education
University of Maiduguri
PMB 106 Maiduguri
!igeria
"ournal of Health# Education and $ports $cience
%ypeset by&
IMPAQ COMPUTER SERVICES
'iman (iroma Drive
)pposite $$%H (ar Par*
University of Maiduguri
+$$! 0,-./1/0
EDITORIAL OARD
E42+$&-2'-C,2-*
!ebath %anglang# Ph0D0
M('(62'6 E42+$&
+brahim 10 !2odi# Ph0D0
E42+$&1
Prof0 Mohammed 30U0 4aya# Ph0D0
Prof0 1mina 5aidal# Ph0D0
$tephen $0 Hamafyelto# Ph0D0
1rimiyau 10 $anusi# Ph0D0
David 30 B6ala
E42+$&2() A4521$&0 $(&4
Prof0 B0$0 Mshelia
1
Department of Physical and Health Education
University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri.
P&$*# O# E'02'78$)(
Physiology Department
College of Medical Science
University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri.
P&$*# P#F#C# C(&-8
Department of Education
University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri.
P&$*# #A# O/$+(&(
Department of Community Medicine
University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital
P&$*# F#A# A/%3,2-
Department of Health and Physical Education
University of igeria, su!!a.
P&$*# !# A8$127(
Department of Health Education and Human "inetics
University of #$adan, #$adan.
P&$*# M#A# C,(4$
Department of Physical and Health Education
%hmadu &ello University, 'aria.
P&$*# D#I# M%1(
Department of Physical and Health Education
&enue State University.
2
"UIDELINES FOR SUMITTIN" PAPERS TO JOURNAL OF HEALTH,
EDUCATION AND SPORTS SCIENCE (JOHESS)
"ournal of Health# Education and $ports $cience 7")HE$$8 is a multi.disciplinary
2ournal published by the Department of Physical and Health Education# University
of Maiduguri0 %he Editorial Board accepts and publishes scholarly papers across
a 6ide range of health education# physical education and science related topics
in the follo6ing areas&
i0 %heories of disease causation#
ii0 Health illness behaviour#
iii0 Health teaching and healthcare#
iv0 Environmental health#
v0 9eproductive health#
vi0 Maternal and child health#
vii0 E:ercise and sports science#
viii0 Biomechanics of sports#
i:0 $ports medicine#
:0 Drugs and sports#
:i0 Environment and sports#
:ii0 Psychological aspects of sports#
:iii0 $ociological aspects of sports#
:iv0 $ports management;administration#
:v0 Media and sports#
:vi0 'egal implication of sports and physical e:ercise#
:vii0 4eneral education#
:viii0 $ocial sciences#
:i:0 4eneral medicine# etc0
%he follo6ing are guidelines for submitting papers&
i0 Papers should be 6ritten in accordance 6ith the last 1P1 format0
ii0 1bstract should not be more than 1-0 6ords0
3
iii0 Papers should be typed double.space# on one side of 1< papers
iv0 %hree copies of the paper should be submitted0
Manuscripts should be accompanied 6ith a non.refundable handling and
assessment fee of one thousand !aira 71#0000008 in cash or ban* draft#
payable to the Editor.in.(hief# "ournal of Health# Education and $ports
$cience0 Papers are received throughout the year for publication in
subse=uent volumes of the 2ournals0
E42+$&-2'-C,2-*
TALE OF CONTENTS
Editorial Board
4uidelines for submitting papers
%able of contents
'ist o contributors
Editorial
Health# Physical Education# 9ecreation# $ports and Dance Programme as
Predictors of >uality of 'ife among Undergraduate $tudents of Bayero
University# 5ano ?
Musa Garba Yakasai
Maternal Education and the Health and (aring Practices of 3omen of (hild.
Bearing age in Borno $tate# !igeria ?
Ibrahim A. Njodi & adi!a Isa "a!!a
1ssessment of $anitary @acilities in $econdary $chools in 5ata*um
Educational Aone of Bauchi $tate ?
Abdua##hi Mohamm$d Is%aku & Mohamm$d &. Ga'a
Practice and Efficacy of 1lternative Medicine in !igeria ?
Sh$hu( Rah$$m Adaramaja & ma##am Sh$shi( "aba
!utrition# 1erobic E:ercise and Psychological $trategies in the Management
of People 'iving 6ith H+B;1+D$ ?
"aba Ndu'a Gurama & Au)us*i'$ A%uba Ga)ar$
Personal Hygiene and $anitation Practices in 9ural (ommunities of Borno
$tate# !igeria ?
N+ai+u( N.,. & Okuo-u( C.A.
4
Duration of Breastfeeding and BabyCs +llness $tatus in 5aduna $tate ?
Es*h$r E. Adamu & &a'ka'a#a V$'ka*$s+ar#u
Psycho.Biological Determinants of @emale 'eadership in $ports
1dministration& 1n )vervie6 .
&amba%ari( A.a)u
%he 9ole of +(% in the $ports Delivery $ystems in 1chieving the Millennium
Development 4oals 7MD4s8 ?
/a+a# Ibrahim Ya!id
9elevance of the Humanistic (oach to E:cellent 1thletic Performance at the
!igeria (olleges of Education 4ames ?
M.G. Yakasai & O.O. O%$ri'd$
(ontent 1nalysis of Print Media (overage of $elected $ports and its
+mplication for $ports Development in !igeria 71D ? /00/8 ?
/a+a# Ibrahim Ya!id
1dult 'earnersC Performance in !on.formal Education Programmes in Borno
$tate and Eobe $tates# !igeria ?
Mohamm$d Sh$**ima /adurma & adi!a Isa "a!!a
5no6ledge of (ontraceptives among $tudents in (olleges of Education in
Borno $tate ?
Ibrahim M. Mbi*sa & Ibrahim A. Njodi
(arbohydrate# @at# 'ipoid and 'ipoprotein 1daptations to E:ercise& 1n
)vervie6 ?
A. "a#ami0 S.A. Tijja'i & V. 1ash$
Public Health and the %race Elements& (opper
7(u8# (hromium 7(r8 and (obalt 7(o8 in 9oadside Dust in Maiduguri
Metropolis ?
V.O. O)ub)uajah0 S.T. Garba & A%uba Samai#
+nfluence of 4ender on the Per cent Body @at of Preadolescent# 1dolescent
and 1dult $tudents in Borno $tate ?
A. "a#ami( Suma%%a A. Tijja'i & V. 1ash$
Evaluation of (lassroom and Hostel @acilities in $econdary $chools in Bauchi
$outh Educational Aone of Bauchi $tate ?
Ahm$d A#haji A!ar$ & Abdu##ahi Mohamm$d Is%aku
Baccine Development 1gainst Malaria& +mplication for Public Health 3or*ers
?
Usma' Mohamm$d Isah & kabiru "ara%a A#i%u
5
CONTRIUTORS
M%1( "(&9( !(7(1(2, P,#D#
Department of Physical and Health Education# Bayero University# 5ano0
N:$42, I#A# P,#D#
Department of Physical and Health Education# University of Maiduguri#
Maiduguri0
H(42;( I1( (;;(, P,#D#
Department of Education# University of Maiduguri# Maiduguri0
A94%))(,2 M$,(//-4 I10(7%
(ollege of Education# 1Fare# Bauchi $tate0
M$,(//-4 <# "('(
Department of Physical and Health Education# University of Maiduguri#
Maiduguri0
S,-,%, R(,--/ A4(&(/(:(
Department of Physical and Health Education# @aculty of Education#
University of +lorin0
M())(/ S,-1,2, (9(
Department of Physical and Health Education# @aculty of Education# Bayero
University# 5ano0
(9( N4%'( "%&(/(
Department of Physical and Health Education# University of Maiduguri#
Maiduguri0
A%6%1+2'- A0%9( "(6(&-
Department of Physical and Health Education# University of Maiduguri#
Maiduguri0
N8(28%, N#E#
Department of (ivil and 3ater 9esources Engineering# University of
Maiduguri# Maiduguri0
O7%$*%, C#A#
Department of 3ater 9esources and Environmental Engineering# 1hmadu
Bello University# Aaria0
E1+,-& E:%&( A4(/%, P,#D#
6
Department of Boc0 G %ech0 Edcuation# 1hmadu Bello University# Aaria0
<('7('()(, V-'7(+-18(&)%
Department of Physical and Health Education# 1hmadu Bello University#Aaria0
<(/9(0(&2 A.(6%
Department of Physical and Health Education# @(% (ollege of Education#
Auba# 4ar*i 1bu2a0
L(8() I9&(,2/ !(;24, P,#D#
Department of Physical and Health Education# Bayero University# 5ano0
M#"# !(7(1(2, P,#D
Department of Physical and Health Education# Bayero University# 5ano0
O#O# O0-&2'4-, P,#D#
Department of Physical and Health Education# University of +lorin0
M$,(//-4 S,-++2/( L(4%&/(, P,#D#
Department of (ontinuing Education and E:tension $ervices# University of
Maiduguri# Maiduguri0
I9&(,2/ M# M92+1(#
Department of Physical and Health Education (ollege of Education# 3a*a.
Biu0
A#()(/2, P,#D#
Department of Physical and Health Education# University of Maiduguri#
Maiduguri0
S#A# T2::('2
Department of Physical and Health Education# University of Maiduguri#
Maiduguri0
V# D(1,-
Department of Physical and Health Education# 1hmadu Bello University#
Aaria0
V#O# O6%96%(:(,
Department of (hemistry# @aculty of $cience# University of Maiduguri#
Maiduguri0
S#T# "(&9(
Department of (hemistry# @aculty of $cience# University of Maiduguri#
Maiduguri0
7
A0%9( S(/()2
Department of $cience and %echnology Promotion# @ederal Ministry of
$cience and %echnology# -
th
@loor H# @ederal $ecretariat# 1bu2a0
S%/(00( A94%)7(&2/ T2::('2
Department of Physical and Health Education# University of Maiduguri#
Maiduguri0
A,/-4 A),(:2 A;(&-
(ollege of Education# 1Fare# Bauchi $tate0
A94%))(,2 M$,(//-4 I10(7%
(ollege of Education# 1Fare# Bauchi $tate0
U1/(' M$,(//-4 I1(,
Department of +ntegrated $cience# (ollege of Education# 1Fare# Bauchi $tate0
<(92&% (&(0( A)20%
Department of (hemistry# (ollege of Education# 1Fare# Bauchi $tate0
EDITORIAL
%his 2ournal 6ill interest all 6ho recogniFe that human development is a far
6ider concept than 6hat is usually seen 6ithin the scope of education
practice0 +f disadvantaged and underserved persons in every part of the globe
are to en2oy the benefits of good living# it is essential for every man or 6oman
to thin* education in order to recognise health implication in almost every
facet of daily life and ta*e the right *inds of action# both for combating health
problems and helping themselves and their neighbours to6ards healthier
6ays of living0
Health# education and sport science lend themselves to a 6ide range of
interpretations0 %hese areas are# in essence# social and political actions for
good living0 %hey see* to empo6er people 6ith a *no6ledge and
understanding of health and to create conditions conducive# including sports
participation# to the pursuit of healthy life styles0 But bringing this simple
8
message to all humanity calls for a collaborative efforts of understanding# 6ill
and information sharing on the part of all concerned0
%his 2ournal envisages that it is never too early nor late to learn and share
the message of good healthy# education and sporting activities0 +t is in this
conte:t that a multi.disciplinary approach 6as conceived for this edition0 %he
articles in this edition# li*e its predecessors# are sound evidence that
approaches and activities that promote good health and general 6ell.being of
individuals and the environment are better understood through inter.
disciplinary analysis of events0
%he ")HE$$ 6ill help you *eep abreast of all prevailing theoretical#
philosophical and methodological approaches in each of the contributing
sub2ect areas 6ith the e:change of leading.edge ideas and insights relevant
to all sectors of our lives0 E:plore the practice and theory of health education
6orld.6ide# gain insights into the effective management of the sorts process#
obtain insights into the perceptions and opinions of =uality in health education
and sports sciences and e:plore the future of our fields of study0
PRACTICE AND EFFICAC! OF ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE IN NI"ERIA
!
SHEHU, RAHEEM ADARAMAJA, P,#D
Department of Physical and Health Education,
(aculty of Education, University #lorin.
=
MALLAM SHESHI, AA
Department of Physical and Health Education,
9
(aculty of Education, &ayero University, "ano
ASTRACT
1lternative medical practice has come to stay in igerian health care system.
The practitioners are found in $oth rural and ur$an areas, varying from the
sales of her$s to spiritual healing, and offering sacrifices of all !inds to
appease the good, ancestors or the evil spirit )ith the aim of healing or
preventing diseases. Most traditional medical practitioners in ur$an areas are
registered or licensed and no) have their o)n professional $ody the igerian
%lternative Medical %ssociation *%M%+. This $ody is similar to the igerian
Medical %ssociation *M%+ in the dispensation of health care services in
igeria. Some hospitals in igeria already com$ine $oth systems, )ith
minimal input from traditional medicine. Time delay, cost of services, political
factor, fa!e drugs and unfriendly attitude of modern medical practitioners
)ere identified as factors that influenced people,s choice of alternative
medicine in igeria. The paper also discussed some of the strengths and
)ea!nesses of traditional medicine in igeria. The authors gave some
recommendations in an attempt to improve the practice of alternative medical
practice )ithin the conte-t of igerian health care system. That government
should, as a matter of urgency, regulate the activities of the traditional
medical practitioners through creating a different department )ithin the
Ministry of Health )hich )ill monitor and discipline any of them )hose
practice or activities is inimical to his.her occupational ethics, among others.
10
I'+&$4%3+2$'
%raditional medical practitioners are found in most societies and they are
often part of the local community# traditions# and continue to have high social
standing in many places# e:erting considerable influence on local health
practices0 3ith the support of the formal health system# the traditional or
indigenous medical practitioners can become important allies in organiFing
efforts to improve the health of the community0 %he ultimate aim of any medical
service is to reduce mortality and morbidityI preventive and curative measure in
any community are essential to6ard achieving this goal0 @or the purpose of
clarification and understanding# alternative medicine here refers to traditional or
indigenous medicine0
$ofo6ora 71D/8# define traditional or alternative medicine as the total
combination of *no6ledge and practice# 6hether e:plicable or not used in
diagnosing preventing or eliminating physical# mental or social disease and 6hich
may rely e:clusively on past e:perience and observation handed do6n from
generation to generation# verbally or in 6riting0 %he providers of these services in
the community are referred to as traditional or traditional medical practitioners or
indigenous doctors0 %hey can be described as persons 6ho are recogniFed by
the community in 6hich he lives as competent to provide health care by using
plants# animals# and mineral substances and certain other methods0 %hese
methods are based on social# cultural and religious bac*ground as 6ell as on the
*no6ledge# attitudes and beliefs that are prevalent in the community regarding
11
physical# mental and social 6ell.being and the causes of diseases and disability
7$ofo6ora# 1D/80
%raditional medicine# it goes 6ithout saying# antedates 6estern medicine
and has for centuries been intert6ined 6ith 1frican cosmology and culture in
6hich the concept of disease is all encompassing0 +n general terms# diseases are
e:plain in religio.moral terms through 6hich affliction is regarded as breaches
against these religious and culture mores 7Mbiti# 16I 3illiams# 1,H80
%raditional therapy includes treatment as 6ell as purification# sacrifice and other
religious rituals 7%6umasi# 1,-80 %hus# unli*e 6estern biomedicine# 1frican
medicine ma*es little distinction bet6een body# mind and spirit# in curing the
6hole person is treated including the social and spiritual milieu deemed
necessary for total health 74reen# 1D080
4enerally the organiFation and indeed# the institution of traditional
medicine# 6as people centered and reflected their needs0 %he system centered
around individual practitioners and their client on the basis of mutual
convenience rather than rationaliFation of 6or*0 +n this case# the modes of
payment 6ere all negotiate and 6or* out 7Pearce# 1D080 +n psychiatric treatment
in Eoruba land# for e:ample# the patient 6as either JCbroughtCC to the therapist or
the latter 6as JCimplored to comeCC to the formers sic*bed 7)sborne 16I
Uyanga# 1,80
%raditional medicine# li*e the 6estern medicine aimed at healing or
preventing diseases0 +n this respect# both typed of medicine have the same
ob2ective but they differ in their concept of the cause of diseases# their approach
12
to healing# as 6ell as in the healing method used0 %he basic concept of 6estern
medicine centres round the results of e:periments and the disease is regarded
as caused by physiological agents including micro.organisms and no:ious
substances in food and environment0 %he traditional medicine ho6ever#
considers men as an integral somatic and e:tra material entity and many
development counties still accepts the fact that disease can be due to
supernatural cause arising from the displeasure of ancestral gods# evil spirits#
6itchcraft# effect of spirit possession or the intrusion of an ob2ect into the body0 +t
is a system 6hich places greater emphasis on the psychological cause of
disease than does orthodo: medicine 7$ofo6ora# 1D/80
%raditional medicine is often part of culture of the people that uses it# and
as a result# it is closely lin*ed to beliefs0 3H) 71,8 observed that in 1frican
region# traditional medicine has become part of the people culture even though
this form of medicine is not as 6ell organiFed as modern medicine0 %raditional
medical practitioner in our communities include herbalist# bonesetters# village
mid6ives or tradition birth attendants# traditional psychiatrist# spiritual healers#
diviners7Eoruba.Babala6oI Hausa.Bo*i and Ean.bor# !upe.Bochi etc8# prayer
men and other specialists0 1s part of the recognition give to 1frican traditional
medicine# the 6orld Health organiFation 71,8 observed that many counties in
1frica no6 have a division# department or tas*force on tradition medicine# usually
attached to their ministries of Health and similar bodies also e:ist at state or local
government level0
T,- .&(3+23- $* T&(42+2$' 2' N26-&2(
13
%he practice of traditional healing has been under serious attac* since
colonialism0 @or the colonists# it 6as not only unscientific but primitive 7)sborne#
1680 %here 6as also accusations of e:ploitation and unethical conduct0 %he
$opona cult# he KEoruba small po: specialists# 6as for e:ample# accused of
infecting people 6ith scabs from victims to increase clientele and economic
opportunities 7)sborne# 1680 %his 6as because the $opona cultist inherited all
properties of deceased clients0
%he attitude of the !igeria elite 76ho invariably formulate and implement
health policies8 to6ards traditional medicines is characteriFed by ambivalence at
best# and hostility at 6orst 71lubo# 1-80 +rrespective of this obvious hostility and
the apparent government ambivalence# traditional medicine has continued to
e:ist0 1s matter of fact# many traditional practitioners are no6 found in urban
areas 6here they compare for clientele 6ith public medicine enterprises 6ith
public medical enterprises and other practitioners of 6estern biomedicine0 Most
traditional healers in urban areas of !igeria are registered or licensed and no6
have their o6n JCprofessionalCC body# the !igeria 1lternative Medical 1ssociation
7!1M18 through this association# they are demanding integration 6ith 6estern
biomedicine0 $ome hospital in !igeria already combine both# albeit minimal input
from traditional medicine 71lubo# 1-80
'as*er 71D,8 classified the follo6ing as methods or form of traditional or
alternative medicineI herbal medicine# diviners spiritual haling and marabous
7Muslem80
14
H-&9() /-4232'-: %his may be define as popular stoc* or *no6ledge about
medicinal properties of herbs and roots as treatment for common remedies and
other diseases in the society# 6hich had been handed do6n from generation to
generation 71lubo 1DH80 +n !igeria# *no6ledge of# and 6hat herbs or roots to
utiliFe for 6hat conditions are learnt from elders# 6ho have themselves ac=uired
this *no6ledge from past generation0 %oday# the sale of herbs and roots deemed
to have medicinal properties is no6 commonplace in the urban centres0 %o be
sure# for some people this sale of roots and herbs is a means of livelihood# if not
also a professional activity0
Diviners 7Babala6o in Eoruba# Bo*i and Ean.Bor in Hausa# Bochi in
!upe80 %his refers to those 6ho are able to detect and counteract the 6or* of
sorcerers 7'as*er 1D,80 3hen a person dies of sorcery# the death is often
e:plained as the po6er of the be6itcher deing greater than that of the diviner0
$aadu 71D68 described the diviners as spirit possessing cult 6ith its origin from
ancient times# they apparently have the ability to reason 6ith them and re=uest
them to intervene on the patientCs behalf0 +n most communities# individuals 6ith
one mystery or the other 6al* to the diviners for consultations and possible
solution to their problems0 %he role of diviner continue to be very important one
for locating the malevolent person# and using a variety of ritual for counteracting
his;her po6er0 +f the source of illness is found to be supernatural force# such as
gods or ancestors# the patients is advised to offer sacrifices# 6hich 6ill appease
the gods# ancestors or the evil spirit0 +t may also re=uire confession of sins0
15
S.2&2+%() H-()2'6: %his source of therapy is related to the activities of
Pentecostal churches# some of them 6ho claimed to treat disease through laying
?on of hands# holy 6ater and prayers# spiritual.healing is the most recent
alternative medical option in !igeria0 Mostly those 6ho profess# and believe in
the (hristian faith utiliFed this source0 $piritual healing ta*es place during open.
air rellies and crusades# both of 6hich have become regular evangeliFation
activities in !igeria0 $ometimes# these crusades are advertised in the mass
medial as opportunities for the blind to see0# the lame to 6al* and devils to be
e:orcised 71lubo 1-80 %here are no formal charges for spiritual healing#
instead# clients are urged to give sacrifices# donations and offerings to J4odC in
appreciation0
T,- M(&(9$%+1: 7Mallams or Moslems80 %he Moslems or Mallams are often
thoughts that they have special po6ers& this tradition predates European rule0
Mallams are those Moslem 6ho have the greatest po6er to see* out the cause of
a variety of social and financial as 6ell as medical problems and to find their
solutions0 %hey also provide amulets and other charms to protect one against
future dangers0 +n !igeria# the 6or* of mallams are based to some e:tent on
+slamic medical traditional# but todayCs Mallams provides a 6ide rang of services
and are consulted by non.moslems as 6ell as Moslem 7'as*er 1D,80
F(3+$&1 I'*)%-'32'6 +,- P&(3+23- $* A)+-&'(+25- M-4232'- 2' N26-&2(#
T,- *$))$82'6 (&- 1$/- $* +,- *(3+$&1 2'*)%-'32'6 +,- 3,$23- $*
()+-&'(+25- $& +&(42+2$'() /-4232'- 2' N26-&2(# T,21 2'3)%4-1 +2/-
4-)(0, 3$1+, .$)2+23() *$&3-1, 3$//%'23(+2$', ('4 *(7- 4&%61#
T2/- D-)(0: +n the 6estern or orthodo: medicine# 6hen a service is
present# it may be inade=uate or so s6amped 6it patients that long =ueues
16
of people must 6ait for hours to be seen by the doctor7s80 %he time delay
even in a case of emergency in obtaining 6estern medical services are
often severe# also oneCs place of residence is very important in facilitating
access0 )nce having found a traditional healer# the problems of long
=ueues is less relevant for 1frican traditional medicine than 6estern
medical centers0 %his problem had led people to patronise the traditional
medical providers 6hose services are less procedure0
C$1+: Most forms of traditional healing involve some payment# either in
cash or in *ind0 %his ma*es the traditional medicine more attractive
7'as*er# 1D,80 +ndividual 6ith greater financial means are not only better
able to pay for treatment# but they are also more li*ely to underta*e travel
to distant specialist7s8# than 6estern medical practitioner7s8 6ho charge
large sums of money0 (hen 71D18 observed that cost of medical care is
an important factor influencing the choice of system medical care0 +n
developing 6here the bul* of people lives in rural areas 6ith lo6 economic
status# the cost of modern medicine is usually beyond their means#
conse=uently# people often have to depend upon alternative 7traditional8
medical care 6hich is 6ithin their geographical and economic reach0
P$)2+23() F$&3-: %he 6estern medical care mostly provided by the
government are located very une=ually throughout the country because
they are used to promote economic gro6th and score political point and
stability rather than e=ualiFed health care0 Even during colonial period#
health resources 6ere distributed to promote their goal of economic
e:pansion and pacification0 %he result of these policies is a distribution of
services 6hich are highly uneven and 6hose availability varies from
different groups in the society0 %his has made people to patroniFe the
traditional medicine 6hich is available on a large scale in both rural and
urban centers0
17
C$//%'23(+2$': (ommunication is a barrier in see*ing help from both
1frican healers and 6estern medical practitioners0 %he great varieties of
linguistic groups limit the accessibility of some healers to those 6ho spea*
the same language or can bring interpreter7s8 7'as*er# 1D,# %alla# 1D680
%he fre=uent complaint about communication 6ith 6estern medical
personnel comprises t6o aspects& the unfriendliness of personnel to those
see*ing services and difficulties in mutual understanding due to differences
of language and culture0 %he most common complaint is related to the
generally rule and unfriendly manner in 6hich many personnel dispensed
their services0 1frican traditional medical services0 1frican traditional
medical providers have been noted for their less social distance and
improve human relation 6hen compared 6ith orthodo: medical personnel0
F(7- D&%61: %he issue of fa*e drugs in 6estern medicine has also
contributed a lot# for people to patronise the traditional medicine0 +t is
common these days to buy a capsule and discover that it is par*ed full of
6hite chal* dust0 1lso# the manufacturers of orthodo: medicine# 6ho are
only after profit but not health of consumers have no6 result to reduce the
chemical composition of drug# so that they can use small =uantity
pharmaceutical chemical to produce large =uantity of drugs that are fa*e0
%hese have made people to patronise the traditional 1frican medicine0
Strengths of Alternative Medicine in Nigeria
10 1lternative medicine is cheaper than modern medicine0 %he cost
of the orthodo: medicine is increased by modern health
technology# 6hich in many cases is inappropriate# or irrelevant to
the immediate needs of the people# 6hile in traditional medicine#
the herbs can be source locally 6ithin the community0
/0 %raditional medicine en2oys 6ider acceptability among the people
of developing countries than does modern medicine0 %his could
be due partly to the inaccessibility to modern medicine# but the
18
ma2or contributory factor is the fact that traditional medicine
blends readily into the socio.cultural life of the people in 6hose
culture is deeply rooted 7'as*er 1D,I $ofo6ora# 1D/I (hen#
1D180
H0 %he traditional medical practitioners could serve as additional
source of health manpo6er in developing countries# this is
especially so# if they could be retrained especially in simple
hygiene# health education# nutrition# environmental health#
general modern health concepts e0t0c0
<0 %raditional medicine is more accessible to most of the population
in the third 6orld0 $ofo6ora 71D/8 reported that 60.D- percent of
the population in every developing countries has to rely on
traditional form of medicine# this is mainly because of shortage of
hospitals and health centers# as 6ell as medical and paramedical
staff needed for modern health care0
-0 +n order to consult an orthodo: doctor# the patient often has to
undergo registration# long =ueues to see doctor and conduct
laboratory tests# 6hich are time 6asting0 But in the tradition
medicine# the patient has ready access to the doctor 6ho devotes
his undivided attention to his patient7s80
Weanesses of Alternative Medicine in Nigeria
10 %he criticism that practitioners of traditional medicine are not
hygienic in their method is true0 Both the traditional practitionerCs
clinic and his mode of preparing medicines are often very
unhygienic compared to modern medical practice0
/0 %he traditional medicine lac* precise dosage# this is so because
all they 6ill say to the patients is ta*e or drin* all the content0
19
H0 %he greatest 6ea*ness of traditional medicine today is the lac* of
scientific proof of its efficacy0 %heir claims have not been
thoroughly investigated scientifically0
<0 %he system is characteriFed 6ith imprecise diagnosis often given
by the practitioners0 1 diagnosis of stomach trouble# for e:ample#
may mean indigestion# ulcer# constipation etc0 such impression is
due to the fact that the pathology of certain diseases is not *no6n
to the traditional medical practitioner7s8# as a result# they tend to
treat symptoms rather than the disease0
-0 3itchcraft and the evil aspect of traditional medicine also
discredit this form of medicine0 1 medicine is supposed to
promote good health and remove physical# mental or social
imbalance# yet certain practice7s8 of traditional medicine are
designed to bring evil to other people through 6itchcraft0
!oncl"sion
T,- &-)(+25- (33-11292)2+0 $* ()+-&'(+25- /-+,$41 $* /-423() 3(&-
21 +,%1 1--' +$ 9- 5-&0 2/.$&+('+ *(3+$& 2' 4-3212$' $* 2'42524%()1
&-6(&42'6 +,-2& &-1.$'1-1 +$ 421-(1-# T,- 6&-(+-& +,- &('6- $*
.$11292)2+2-1 ('4 +,- /$&- ->%25()-'+ +,-2& (33-11292)2+0, +,- /$&-
)27-)0 ( 1237 .-&1$' 82)) /(7- :%46/-'+ $' +,- 9(121 $* *(3+$&1 1%3,
(1 +,- +0.- $* 2))'-11, .&-52$%1 -?.-&2-'3- $* 3$'+(3+ ('4 $.2'2$'1
('4 3$'*24-'3- 8,23, 1%3, 3$'+(3+ .&$4%3-1# T,- 421+&29%+2$' $*
8-()+, 2' +,- 1$32-+0, +,- 1+&%3+%&- ('4 ())$3(+2$' $* ,-()+, &-1$%&3-1
90 +,- 6$5-&'/-'+ ('4 .$12+2$' $* ,-()+, 101+-/ 2' +,- 1$32-+0 (&- ())
3&2+23() *(3+$&1 2' +,- %+2)2;(+2$' $* $&+,$4$? /-423() 1-&523-1# T,-
-?+-'+ +$ 8,23, (' 2'42524%() '-+8$&7 +2-1 2'+$ ,-()+, 3(&- .&$524-&
4-.-'41 +$ ( )(&6- 4-6&-- $' $'-@1 .$12+2$' 2' 1$32-+0# T,-&-*$&-,
1+&%3+%&- )$3(+2$' 21 2/.$&+('+ 2' %+2)2;(+2$', .&2/(&2)0 9-3(%1- $* +,-
8(0 2+ (**-3+1 (33-11 +$ /-423() 3(&-#
#eco$$endations
718 %he government should as a matter of urgency regulate the activities
of the traditional medical practitioners through creating a different
department 6ithin the Ministry of Health 6hich 6ill monitor and
20
discipline any one of them 6hose practice or activity inimical to his
occupation ethics0
7/8 %he practitioner need to be retrained especially in simple hygiene#
general modern health concept# health education# elementary health
care# referrals and record *eeping# so that they can contribute their
=uota to6ards the attainment of the goal of health for all by the year
/010 and beyond0
7H8 %he government should integrate traditional medicine into the
curriculum of medical students in the university# so that the student
6ill learned the t6o 7orthodo: and traditional8 to ma*e it more
acceptable to the society0
7<8 4overnment should encourage and finance research7es8 into our
local herbs to find cure to diseases that have develop resistance to
orthodo: medicine and this may also eliminate doubts and establish
confidence in the mind of people about the efficacy of herb
medicine0
21
R-*-&-'3-1
1lubo# $0)0 71DH80 Un/development and Health Care Crisis in igeria
Medical %nthropology. 7<8 H1.HH-0
1lubo# $0)0 71-80 Medical Professionalism and State Po)er in igeria0
(entre for Development $tudies# University of "os0
(hen# P0(0E0 71D180 %raditional and Modern Medicine in Malaysia0
$ocial $cience and Medicine / 71-8 1D./-0
4reen# E0 71D080 9oles of 1frican %raditional Healers in Mental (are#
Medical 1nthropology < 7<8 <D.-//0
'as*er# "0!0 71D180 Choosing among therapies0 #llness $ehaviour in the
#vory Coast0 Social Science and Medicine. / 71-8 </.<0
Mbiti# "0 71680 %frican religious and philosophy. !e6 Eor* Doubledday
1chor0
)sborne# )0 71680 The 1oru$a 2illage as a Therapeutic Community0
"ournal of Health and $ocial Behaviour 10 7H8 1D,./000
Pearce# %0 71D080 Political and Economic Change in igeria and
3rganisation of Medical Care0 $ocial $cience and Medicine 1<b&1.
D0
$aasu# +0E0 71D680 The 4ole of traditional practitioners in the community,
7Edited80 %he $tate of Medical Plants 9esearch in !igeria# +badan
University Press0
22
$ofo6ora# 10 71D/80 Medicine Plant and %raditional Medicine in 1frica#
+badan $pectrum Boo*s0
%ella# 10 71D680 Traditional Medicine in igeria& Prospects and Pro$lems.
7Edited80 %he $tate of Medical Plant 9esearch in !igeriaI University
Press# +badan0
Uyanga# +0 71,80 The characteristics of patient of spiritual healing homes
and traditional doctors in South Eastern igeria0 $ocial $cience and
Medicine 1H1 7H8 H/H.HH00
3illiams# 40 71,H80 State and Society in igeria0 1frografica# +danre#
!igeria0
3orld Health )rganisation# 71,80 4esolution Traditional Medicine
Programme. 3H) Document !o0 EB 6H 90< 4eneva0

23