Approaches to epilepsy treatment among Yoruba traditional healers in southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Traditional Yoruba medical practitioners are known for taking a holistic and specific approach to treating chronic diseases and illnesses, which may have implications for treatment efficacy and therapeutic outcomes. This study explores the therapeutic measures used by Yoruba traditional healers in managing clients who have epilepsy. Based on a qualitative descriptive case study approach, traditional healers with the requisite experience in treating epilepsy were recruited within two Yoruba communities in southwestern Nigeria. A snowball sampling technique guided the recruitment of 24 traditional healers for face-to-face interviews. All the audio-taped interviews were transcribed and translated into English in a back-to-back approach and analysed thematically with the support of Atlasti 8. It was stated by the traditional healers that divination is the first procedure in the treatment of epilepsy. Divination reveals aetiology, dictates the treatment approach and therapies for each case, and also assists healers in protecting themselves and their significant others from being afflicted with epilepsy. Findings revealed that, as a complex illness, epilepsy could sometimes occur in the life of an individual as an affliction. Thereafter, appeasements, sacrifices, spiritual baths, and concoctions would be introduced on a case-by-case basis. Animals and plant materials also formed parts of the contents used in making potent treatments or therapeutic remedies. Epilepsy is treated among traditional Yoruba healers using different approaches depending on the aetiology of the case and their divination of what works well for an individual. Internal regulations of traditional medicine are required to ensure the legitimacy of treatments and therapies and protect people living with epilepsy from exploitation.