QUALITATIVE STUDY OF CAREGIVERS’ PERSPECTIVES ON TRADO RELIGIOUS MENTAL HEALTHCARE IN IBADAN, NIGERIA

Abstract

Background: Whenever children and adolescents experience ill health, their caregivers are typically saddled with the responsibility of deciding on the best course of treatment. The process of making decisions between alternative forms of treatment tends to be a complex one. Decisions regarding the most appropriate forms of care are usually informed by the interplay between a myriad of factors. This is especially so in Nigeria where persons in need of mental healthcare tend to take a pluralistic approach to care. Owing to the similar beliefs shared by users and providers regarding the nature and most culturally acceptable treatment methods the use of Trado-religious mental healthcare is prevalent. Studies show that many persons who engage with Trado-religious mental healthcare services meet the criteria for psychiatric diagnosis. Studies also indicate that many persons engage in orthodox and non-orthodox mental healthcare services concurrently. In order to improve treatment adherence and outcomes, communication between service users i.e persons who engage both forms of care (Trado-religious and orthodox mental healthcare) and orthodox mental healthcare service providers on perspectives on disease aetiologies, symptoms, and subjective experiences of treatment is imperative. Objective: The study aimed at exploring perspectives of caregivers of children and adolescents with mental illnesses on Trado-Religious mental healthcare. Method: This was a qualitative study in which 25 caregivers were recruited through the use of purposive sampling. These caregivers were all parents of children and adolescents currently receiving care at the child and adolescent psychiatric facility of the University College Hospital (UCH). Socio-demographic Questionnaires and an In-depth interview guide were used to elicit responses from study participants. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 with percentages and frequencies was used to describe socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents while analysis of qualitative data was carried out through the use of content analysis. Results: Respondents indicated that the decision to engage with Trado-religious mental healthcare services was informed by their belief in spiritual causes of mental illnesses and advice from persons in their social environment. Caregivers perceived that the most common views on the etiology of mental illnesses held by Trado- religious providers’ were Spiritual causes, Biological causes, overthinking and stress. Responses from caregivers regarding the efficacy of Trado-religious treatment indicate that it is a common perception that certain forms of Trado-religious mental healthcare treatments are helpful. All participants opined that there should be collaborations between Trado-religious and orthodox mental healthcare service providers however they expressed skepticism regarding the possibility that orthodox mental healthcare service providers would be willing to do work alongside Trado-religious mental health providers. Participants’ responses indicate that many caregivers will continue to engage in a pluralistic system of care for their wards.