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The traditional healer in obstetric care: A persistent wasted opportunity in maternal health

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  • Aborigo, Raymond Akawire
  • Allotey, Pascale
  • Reidpath, Daniel D.

Abstract

Traditional medical systems in low income countries remain the first line service of choice, particularly for rural communities. Although the role of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) is recognised in many primary health care systems in low income countries, other types of traditional practitioners have had less traction. We explored the role played by traditional healers in northern Ghana in managing pregnancy-related complications and examined their relevance to current initiatives to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. A grounded theory qualitative approach was employed. Twenty focus group discussions were conducted with TBAs and 19 in-depth interviews with traditional healers with expertise in managing obstetric complications. Traditional healers are extensively consulted to manage obstetric complications within their communities. Their clientele includes families who for either reasons of access or traditional beliefs, will not use modern health care providers, or those who shop across multiple health systems. The traditional practitioners claim expertise in a range of complications that are related to witchcraft and other culturally defined syndromes; conditions for which modern health care providers are believed to lack expertise. Most healers expressed a willingness to work with the formal health services because they had unique knowledge, skills and the trust of the community. However this would require a stronger acknowledgement and integration within safe motherhood programs.

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  • Aborigo, Raymond Akawire & Allotey, Pascale & Reidpath, Daniel D., 2015. "The traditional healer in obstetric care: A persistent wasted opportunity in maternal health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 59-66.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:133:y:2015:i:c:p:59-66
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.03.046
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Thaddeus, Sereen & Maine, Deborah, 1994. "Too far to walk: Maternal mortality in context," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 38(8), pages 1091-1110, April.
    2. Tsey, Komla, 1997. "Traditional medicine in contemporary Ghana: A public policy analysis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 45(7), pages 1065-1074, October.
    3. Adongo, Philip B. & Phillips, James F. & Kajihara, Beverly & Fayorsey, Clara & Debpuur, Cornelius & Binka, Fred N., 1997. "Cultural eactors constraining the introduction of family planning among the Kassena-Nankana of Northern Ghana," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 45(12), pages 1789-1804, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Chinwah, Viviane & Nyame-Asiamah, Frank & Ekanem, Ignatius, 2020. "Risk factors affecting maternal health outcomes in Rivers State of Nigeria: Towards the PRISMA model," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    2. Voloshinskaya, Anna A. (Волошинская, Анна А.) & Komarov, Vladimir M. (Комаров, Владимир М.) & Kotsyubinskiy, Vladimir A. (Коцюбинский, Владимир), 2017. "Contemporary Theories of Sustainable Development: Approaches, Methodology, Practical Recommendations [Современные Теории Устойчивого Развития: Подходы, Методология, Прикладные Рекомендации]," Working Papers 021702, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration.
    3. Osseo-Asare, Abena Dove, 2023. "“Don't use herbs in labor!”: Plants, pharmaceuticals, and the unmaking of traditional birth attendants in Ghana, 1970–2000," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 329(C).
    4. Mvulakazi Patricia Thipanyane & Sibusiso Cyprian Nomatshila & Hannibal Tafadzwa Musarurwa & Olanrewaju Oladimeji, 2022. "The Roles and Challenges of Traditional Health Practitioners in Maternal Health Services in Rural Communities of Mthatha, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-12, October.
    5. Joshua Sumankuuro & Joseph K. Wulifan & William Angko & Judith Crockett & Emmanuel K. Derbile & John K. Ganle, 2020. "Predictors of maternal mortality in Ghana: evidence from the 2017 GMHS Verbal Autopsy data," International Journal of Health Planning and Management, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 35(6), pages 1512-1531, November.
    6. Adeleke, O. A. & Oyedepo, L. K., 2020. "Information and Training Needs of Traditional Birth Attendants in Selected Rural Communities of Oyo State, Nigeria," Nigerian Journal of Rural Sociology, Rural Sociological Association of Nigeria, vol. 20(2), June.

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