Sociocultural Perceptions, Therapeutic Practices of Hypertension and its Management in Bamenda, Cameroon

Hypertension amongst other diseases is a current social and medical problem in Bamenda. People’s perception of the etiology of hypertension, vary and thus influences their therapeutic options (modern medicine and alternative medicines). Government efforts have been made in the years past to curb the prevalence and improve on the management; these efforts seemed to have been insufficient because the prevalence of the condition keeps increasing despite the government efforts which have always been tilted towards modern medicine. Thus, this study seeks to explore the various healings ways in which the people of Bamenda take care of hypertension. The main research question is what are the perceptions, and therapeutic practices of hypertension and its management in Bamenda? Subsequently, the main research hypothesis is that the therapeutic practices against hypertension and its management are determined by social representations on this disease. Obviously, the main research objective is to provide an understanding on how people in Bamenda perceive hypertension, and how it is equally managed. Qualitative research data collection and analysis methods were used. Research techniques used were direct observation, individual in-depth interview, focus group discussion, life history, and secondary data analysis. In addition, theories of Functionalism and Critical Medical Anthropology were used to interpret the results obtained after data analysis.