Authors :
Foncham Paul Babila
Volume/Issue :
Volume 7 - 2022, Issue 8 - August
Google Scholar :
https://bit.ly/3IIfn9N
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/3pOnpHf
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7010244
Abstract :
The aim of this study was to investigate the
effects of cultural practices on the health-seeking
behaviours of the Mbororo community in Mezam
Division of the Northwest Region of Cameroon. More
specifically, the study explored the extent to which
dependence on indigenous educational practices over
formal education, and preference for traditional
medicine and faith healers affect the health-seeking
behaviours of the Mbororo community in Mezam
Division. The study employed the survey research design
with a mix of both quantitative and qualitative
techniques. Quantitative data were collected through a
questionnaire while a focus group discussion guide and a
semi-structured interview guide were used to collect
qualitative data from a sample of 539respondents. A
total of 500 questionnaires were administered and 6
focus groups discussions were carried out and as well as
interviews granted to 3 healthcare professionals. The
simple random sampling technique was used to select the
sample of the study. Data were analyzed with the aid of
the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version
23.0 for Windows. Descriptive statistics such as simple
percentages, mean scores and standard deviation, and
inferential statistics such as the Pearson Correlation test
were used to analyze quantitative data while qualitative
data were analyzed using content analysis with the
support of ATLAS.ti software version 8.0. The findings
revealed that dependence on indigenous educational
practices over formal education (r=0.621, df=98, p<0.05),
and preference for traditional medicine and faith healers
(r=0.810, df=98, p<0.05) have a positive correlation with
the health-seeking behaviours of the Mbororo
community. Based on the findings, recommendations
were made on the need for the Mbororo community in
Mezam Division and beyond to develop more tolerance
for conventional or modern medicine and rush to
modern hospitals when ill for appropriate screening,
diagnosis and treatment of their diseases even as they
continue to patronize traditional medicine based on their
cultural beliefs. This would go a long way to improve the
health and wellbeing of the Mbororo community in
Mezam and beyond. Suggestions for further studies were
also made.
Keywords :
Cultural Practices, Indigenous Educational Practices, Formal Education, Traditional Medicine,Faith Healers, Mbororo Community, and Health seeking Behaviours.
The aim of this study was to investigate the
effects of cultural practices on the health-seeking
behaviours of the Mbororo community in Mezam
Division of the Northwest Region of Cameroon. More
specifically, the study explored the extent to which
dependence on indigenous educational practices over
formal education, and preference for traditional
medicine and faith healers affect the health-seeking
behaviours of the Mbororo community in Mezam
Division. The study employed the survey research design
with a mix of both quantitative and qualitative
techniques. Quantitative data were collected through a
questionnaire while a focus group discussion guide and a
semi-structured interview guide were used to collect
qualitative data from a sample of 539respondents. A
total of 500 questionnaires were administered and 6
focus groups discussions were carried out and as well as
interviews granted to 3 healthcare professionals. The
simple random sampling technique was used to select the
sample of the study. Data were analyzed with the aid of
the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version
23.0 for Windows. Descriptive statistics such as simple
percentages, mean scores and standard deviation, and
inferential statistics such as the Pearson Correlation test
were used to analyze quantitative data while qualitative
data were analyzed using content analysis with the
support of ATLAS.ti software version 8.0. The findings
revealed that dependence on indigenous educational
practices over formal education (r=0.621, df=98, p<0.05),
and preference for traditional medicine and faith healers
(r=0.810, df=98, p<0.05) have a positive correlation with
the health-seeking behaviours of the Mbororo
community. Based on the findings, recommendations
were made on the need for the Mbororo community in
Mezam Division and beyond to develop more tolerance
for conventional or modern medicine and rush to
modern hospitals when ill for appropriate screening,
diagnosis and treatment of their diseases even as they
continue to patronize traditional medicine based on their
cultural beliefs. This would go a long way to improve the
health and wellbeing of the Mbororo community in
Mezam and beyond. Suggestions for further studies were
also made.
Keywords :
Cultural Practices, Indigenous Educational Practices, Formal Education, Traditional Medicine,Faith Healers, Mbororo Community, and Health seeking Behaviours.
