Health Seeking Behaviour and Treatment Options for Typhoid Fever Patients in Douala: The Case of Bonaberi in the Douala IV Subdivision in Cameroon
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47941/ijhss.3586Keywords:
Typhoid Fever, Traditional Medicine, Conventional Medicine, Health Seeking Behaviour, Health CareAbstract
Purpose: Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection caused by salmonella typhi through the consumption of unhygienic food substances and water. Typhoid fever affects many people in Cameroon. It has been observed from the health seeking behaviour of patients that most of them prefer traditional medical care than conventional medical care. This paper seeks to discuss this curious attitude in health seeking behaviour so as to understand why this rush for traditional medicine. `
Methodology: Qualitative research methods have been used here including the use of some statistical data (quantitative). Hence, the qualitative research made use of observation, interviews with conventional health care personnel, traditional healers and patients as well as the review of some literature comprise the methods of data collection. This is culminated with a thematic analysis of the data.
Findings: Many people give priority to traditional medicine or herbal medicine for their treatment because they think that traditional medicine is effective, available and affordable. Many people still believe very strongly in traditional medicine saying that it is a heritage that should be kept for posterity.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: Traditional medicine is an essential type of medicine that governments should work very hard to upgrade given its worth to its users and the health care system. Its valorization and official use is something that governments should never neglect because its benefits are enormous. The official enhancement of traditional medicine for the treatment of typhoid fever and the reinforcement of sensitization efforts on healthy living can greatly reduce the morbidity of typhoid fever amongst the populations.
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