Psychiatric Patients’ Evaluation of the Efficacy of Obeah vs. Western Medicine in Treating Their Mental Illness

This study sought to determine any potential benefits in psychiatric patients’ use of traditional medicine in their treatment. Participants were 51 Jamaican patients who self-reported on concurrent use of western and alternative medicine. They completed the Jamaican Healthcare Perception Questionnai...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of psychology in Africa 2012-01, Vol.22 (1), p.134-138
Main Author: James, Caryl C.B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alternative medicine
Chi-square test
Efficacy
Health care
Medical diagnosis
Mental disorders
Quality of service
Traditional medicine
Western medicine
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Summary:This study sought to determine any potential benefits in psychiatric patients’ use of traditional medicine in their treatment. Participants were 51 Jamaican patients who self-reported on concurrent use of western and alternative medicine. They completed the Jamaican Healthcare Perception Questionnaire. Data were analysed using the chi-square test of differences between proportions. Findings indicated that 58.8% of patients incorporated traditional medicine in their treatment. These were less likely to agree with the diagnosis given by the formal practitioner and that his treatment was effective or to rate the quality of service of the formal practitioner as being satisfactory. Patients believed alternative medicine should be incorporated into the healthcare system.
ISSN:1433-0237
1815-5626
DOI:10.1080/14330237.2012.10874531