An Exploration Of Community Perceptions On The Use Of Traditional Medicine In Tanzania: A Case Of Dodoma City Council

ABSTRACT

This study explores the community perceptions on the use of traditional medicine: A case of Dodoma City Council (Tanzania). It was guided by three specific objectives: to explore community knowledge concerning the traditional medicine use; to assess factors influencing the use of traditional medicine among community members and to examine the magnitude of usage in relation to ailments which frequently the users have mentioned. The study applied both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection which involved social survey, focus group discussion, and in-depth interview. Purposive sampling method was used for obtaining key informants for in-depth interview and simple random sampling for social survey and focus group discussion respondents. The sample size for social survey was determined by the study after the saturation point since the study is basically qualitative oriented but supplemented by a few quantitative aspects. The quantitative data were analyzed by using Social Science Statistical Package (SPSS) Version 20 while the qualitative data were analyzed through pattern matching and strong explanation building. The major findings from this study have shown that, despite urbanization process of Dodoma City Council, the use of traditional medicine has persisted with regard to socio-economic issues of community members. Although both the Government and Private sector have not invested much in traditional medicine in terms of health facilities, still there is mushrooming of traditional medicine practitioners who have happened to capture the attention of health seekers in different parts of Dodoma City Council. The study also revealed that, there are diverse factors which lead the community members to choose traditional medicine services including characteristics and perception of the ailments and characteristics of service enabling factors. The issues of reproductive health have been revealed as a concern for both men and women. Eventually, the exploration recommends the need to conduct scientific studies on the efficacy and side effects of TM to the users. Likewise, the repeated ailments mentioned by respondents that have been addressed by traditional medicine need to be investigated in relation to theories and multidisciplinary approach.