Utilization of traditional healers for treatment of malaria among female residents in Makurdi city and its environs

Objective: To ascertain the role of traditional healers in malaria treatment and its impact on control of the disease. Methods: The study was cross-sectional in nature. Test-run structured and semi-structured questionnaires were either interviewer or self administered to adult women aged 18 years old and above. House holds were selected using systematic random sampling methods. Information such as age, educational level, marital status, occupation and methods of malaria treatment were obtained. Focused group discussions about beliefs and perceptions on utilization of traditional healers and in depth discussions on treatment and control of malaria were also carried out. Results: Of the 2 075 respondents studied, 49.7% (n=1 031) utilized traditional healers for treatment of malaria, including 16.7% (n=172) utilizing traditional healers strictly while 83.3% (n=859) combining it with other treatment methods such as hospital/clinic, pharmacy/chemist shop, herbs or spiritual healing. The major contributors to utilization of traditional healers were: illiteracy and ignorance, poverty, unemployment/underemployment and slow pace of the comprehensive package implementation of the " roll back malaria" (RBM) programme initiate in the community. Conclusions: Health education should be intensified while adequate facilities put in place to commence home management of malaria and probable free distribution of the artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). © 2010 Hainan Medical College.