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April 24, 2026
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May 29, 2026
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June 3, 2026
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Abstract

This study examines the enduring influence of African traditional beliefs and practices on healthcare utilisation in Anambra State, Nigeria. Despite the availability of modern health facilities, many people in the region still interpret illness through spiritual and cultural lenses, including ancestral displeasure, witchcraft, and supernatural forces. The research investigated how these beliefs affect decisions about when, where, and from whom to seek medical help. A multistage cross-sectional research design was adopted, utilizing quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires administered to healthcare professionals and members of the public, as well as in-depth interviews with traditional healers, medical practitioners, and patients. Secondary sources, including journal articles, government documents, health reports, and other relevant literature, were also consulted to provide theoretical and empirical support for the study. The study shows that traditional explanations of illness often guide initial treatment choices, leading many to consult traditional healers, herbalists, or spiritualists before or alongside orthodox medical services. Factors such as the perceived nature of the illness, age, and level of education appear to affect these choices. The findings highlight that while traditional practices offer emotional and cultural comfort, they sometimes cause delays in seeking timely biomedical care. The study concludes that any meaningful improvement in healthcare utilisation in Anambra State must involve culturally sensitive integration of both traditional and modern systems rather than outright replacement of one with the other.


[Penelitian ini mengkaji pengaruh yang terus bertahan dari kepercayaan dan praktik tradisional Afrika terhadap pemanfaatan layanan kesehatan di Negara Bagian Anambra, Nigeria. Meskipun fasilitas kesehatan modern tersedia, banyak masyarakat di wilayah tersebut masih menafsirkan penyakit melalui perspektif spiritual dan budaya, termasuk ketidaksenangan leluhur, sihir, dan kekuatan supranatural. Penelitian ini menyelidiki bagaimana kepercayaan tersebut memengaruhi keputusan mengenai kapan, di mana, dan kepada siapa seseorang mencari bantuan medis. Penelitian ini menggunakan desain penelitian potong lintang (cross-sectional) bertahap (multistage) dengan pendekatan kuantitatif dan kualitatif. Data dikumpulkan melalui kuesioner semi-terstruktur yang diberikan kepada tenaga kesehatan dan anggota masyarakat, serta wawancara mendalam dengan tabib tradisional, praktisi medis, dan pasien. Sumber data sekunder, termasuk artikel jurnal, dokumen pemerintah, laporan kesehatan, dan literatur relevan lainnya, juga digunakan untuk memberikan dukungan teoretis dan empiris bagi penelitian ini. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa penjelasan tradisional mengenai penyakit sering kali menjadi dasar pilihan pengobatan awal, sehingga banyak orang lebih memilih berkonsultasi dengan tabib tradisional, herbalis, atau pemuka spiritual sebelum atau bersamaan dengan memanfaatkan layanan medis modern. Faktor-faktor seperti persepsi terhadap jenis penyakit, usia, dan tingkat pendidikan tampaknya memengaruhi pilihan tersebut. Temuan penelitian menegaskan bahwa meskipun praktik tradisional memberikan kenyamanan emosional dan budaya, praktik tersebut terkadang menyebabkan keterlambatan dalam memperoleh layanan kesehatan biomedis yang tepat waktu. Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa setiap upaya yang bermakna untuk meningkatkan pemanfaatan layanan kesehatan di Negara Bagian Anambra harus melibatkan integrasi yang sensitif terhadap budaya antara sistem kesehatan tradisional dan modern, bukan menggantikan salah satunya secara sepihak.]

Keywords

Africa traditional medical belief cultural practices healthcare culture

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Copyright (c) 2026 Mohamed Alusine Mansaray, Gilbert Madubuike (Author)

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Influence of African Traditional Beliefs and Practices on Healthcare Utilisation in Anambra State, Nigeria: Pengaruh Kepercayaan dan Praktik Tradisional Afrika terhadap Pemanfaatan Layanan Kesehatan di Negara Bagian Anambra, Nigeria. (2026). SiRad: Pelita Wawasan, 2(2), 183-196. https://doi.org/10.64728/sirad.v2i2.art2
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Influence of African Traditional Beliefs and Practices on Healthcare Utilisation in Anambra State, Nigeria: Pengaruh Kepercayaan dan Praktik Tradisional Afrika terhadap Pemanfaatan Layanan Kesehatan di Negara Bagian Anambra, Nigeria. (2026). SiRad: Pelita Wawasan, 2(2), 183-196. https://doi.org/10.64728/sirad.v2i2.art2

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