The Centre also carried out a baseline survey on traditional healing practices and systems of traditional birth attendants, bone setters and body massage therapists in South Western Nigeria on behalf of the Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) 2007. The survey aimed to promote a deeper understanding of the scientific basis behind the methods and practices of TBAs, bonesetters, and massage therapists in South West Nigeria.

Objectives of the Project

More specifically, the project aimed to achieve the following:

• To identify traditional healing techniques used by TBAs, Bonesetters and Massage Therapists in the selected areas;
• To identify possible areas of collaboration between modern health care providers and traditional healers;
• To promote the rights of clients of traditional healers in Nigeria
• To facilitate the evolvement of a national framework for improving the services offered by Nigerian traditional healers.

Research Locations, Methodology, and Data Collection

The survey was descriptive in nature and the major data collection technique was qualitative. The survey examined the practices of TBAs, Bone Setters and Massage Therapists in the Southern Western Region of Nigeria and specifically looked at the types of medicinal plants, herbs and animal products that traditional healers make use of in providing health care services to their clients. The research team conducted the survey among the Ijebus, the Eguns, and the Egbas in Lagos and Ogun States. The selected ethnic groups investigated in Lagos State were the Ijebus at Ibeju/Lekki Local Government Area (LGA); the Eguns at Badagry LGA and the Ilajes/Ijaws at Ifelodun Local Council Development Area. The research team also surveyed the Egbas and Aworis in Abeokuta LGA, Ogun State.

The research team collected data on the type and quality of services provided by various traditional healers through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs). In total, they conducted 35 interviews and 4 FGDs. They held FGDs with Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) in Ibeju Lekki, Badagry, and Abeokuta, while they carried out in-depth interviews with TBAs, Bone Setters, and Massage Therapists in Ibeju Lekki, Badagry, Abeokuta, and Ifelodun Local Government Areas.

Key Findings and Recommendations

The study also found that while some traditional health therapists recognized the reality of HIV/AIDS and took precautions such as using gloves and avoiding the reuse of sharp objects the majority claimed they relied on herbs to determine if a patient’s blood was infected.

It revealed that there is the need for continuous sensitization of traditional healers on the need to refer patients to the next level of care in good time in order to avoid unnecessary deaths in their clinics. The study emphasized the need to explore the standardization of traditional healing practices, as some methods such as a Traditional Birth Attendant using their hands to manually remove the placenta were considered dangerous.

Read the full Research Report on Traditional Healing Practices and Systems of Traditional Birth Attendants, Bone Setters, and Body Massage Therapists in South Western Nigeria.