‘Quinine’, ‘Ditaola’ and the ‘Bible’: Investigating Batswana health seeking practices1

Abstract

This article presents some findings from a three year field study conducted to find out Batswana health seeking practices. The study triangulated both qualitative and  quantitative methods in selected districts of Botswana. Traditional healers, faith  healers, modern health practitioners and administrators and users of the different health services participated in the study. The study established that the majority of Batswana first seek modern medical services when they are ill. Be that as it may, the study also established that despite widespread provision of modern/Western/allopathic health services in Botswana, traditional and spiritual/faith health services still attract  Batswana. Understanding health holistically, Batswana continue to make use of all  systems of health provision. In light of this, the article therefore calls for strong  collaboration of the different systems of health within the country.

Keywords: quinine, ditaola, Bible, Batswana, Botswana, traditional healers, faith healers, modern medical practitioners.