ABSTRACT
The research study was carried out on factors
influencing preference of alternative therapies to orthodox medicine among
commercial drivers at Ring road in Benin City Edo State. It aims at identifying
the factors influencing preference for alternative therapies (herbal) to
orthodox medicine among commercial drivers and also to find out the level of
utilization of alternative therapies to orthodox medicine among them. A pure
descriptive study whereby non probability sampling technique was used to
collect data. The sample consist 100 commercial drivers within the age range of
20-60 years, at Ring road in Benin City. Data was collected using structured
self reported administered questionnaires developed by researcher and
presentation of analyzed result was done using percentages and tables. From the
analysis in the study area, it can be seen that environment and level of
education are the major factors influencing the preference of alternative
therapy to orthodox medicine further result reveal that majority (79%) use
local herbs as alternative therapy. These findings show that there is need for
enlightenment of drivers on the benefits of orthodox medicine over alternative
therapies and making orthodox medicine accessible, available and affordable to
drivers.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND
OF STUDY
The present unprecedented global
upsurge of interest in alternative medicine (herbal) is perhaps a measure of a
more realistic perception of the limitations of orthodox medicines in terms of
cost, accessibility, effectiveness and safety. There is this widely held view
that over 80% of people in developing countries use herbal medicine as their
first line of choice in the treatment of diseases. (Osemene, Elujoba &
Ilori, 2011).
Saunders (2005) defined
orthodox medicine as the science of diagnosing and treating or preventing
disease and any other damage to the body or mind. It is also the non surgical
means of treating disease. Osemene, et al (2011) stated that the public pay
high prices for orthodox medicine because the cost for experimental techniques
through research and development is enormous. Another common perception is that
orthodox medicine which is scientifically based is more reliable, safer and
more effective.
According to Borkan and Jeffrey
(2012), alternative medicine refers to any practice (not included in the degree
courses of established medical schools), that is put forward as having healing
effects of medicine, but is not based on evidence gathered with the scientific
method, when used independently or in place of medicine based on science. Personal
enabling factors which make people use alternative therapies include such
things as knowledge of available services, referrals to a particular
practitioner, a convenient location, and a level of income that will permit
them to pay for treatment and for private health insurance. People typically
use alternative care to help alleviate chronic conditions rather than acute or
life threatening illnesses. The main ones tend to be musculoskeletal,
allergies, arthritis and stress related conditions such as headaches, anxiety
and digestive problems (Kelner, Welsh & Boon 2004).
According to Cassileth and Den
(2004), forms of alternative medicines that are biologically active can be
dangerous even when used in conjunction with conventional (orthodox) medicine.
Examples include immune augmentation therapy, shark cartilage, bio-resonance
therapy, oxygen and ozone therapies, and insulin potentiating therapy. Some
herbal drugs can cause dangerous interactions with chemotherapy drugs,
radiation therapy, or anesthetics during surgery, among other problems.
Alternative therapies are divided into alternative medical systems, mind body
interventions, biologically based therapies, manipulative and body based
methods, and energy therapies (NCCAM 2006).
Herbal medicine products are dietary
supplements that people take to improve their health. Herb is a plant or plant
part used for its scent, flavour or its aphetic properties and many herbs have
been used for a long time for claimed health benefits. Herbs could be in form
of tablets, capsules, powders, teas, extracts and fresh or dried plants
(National institute of health, 2012).
The use of
alternative therapy is rampant in the developing world which Nigeria is an
example; factors responsible for this could be traced to lack of adequate
awareness on the availability and accessibility of orthodox medicine, poverty
and lack of information on the adverse effect of these alternative therapies.
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Numerous natural compounds are, in
fact poisonous (e.g. cyanide) and natural compounds that have health benefits
often have a narrow therapeutic index (meaning the amount that brings benefit
is less than the amount that causes toxicity, making it alarmingly easy for
their use to cause harm). Alternative therapies (herbs) are always abused due
to the fact that there is no specific measurement or dosage to be taken,
therefore causing intoxication. Also, when there is a reaction or side effect
to an alternative therapy, there is no adequate antidote which can be used to
reverse the reaction. It is against this backdrop the researcher is interested
in researching on factors influencing preference for alternative therapies to
orthodox medicine among commercial drivers at ring road in Benin City.
OBJECTIVES
OF STUDY
·
To identify the factors influencing preference for
alternative therapies (herbal) to orthodox medicine among commercial drivers at
ring road in Benin City.
·
To find out the level of utilization of alternative therapies
to orthodox medicine among commercial drivers at ring road in Benin City.
·
To identify forms of alternative medicine that commercial drivers
at ring road in Benin City use.
SIGNIFICANCE OF
STUDY
This study
helps:
·
To provide adequate information on measures to promote the
use of orthodox medicine among commercial drivers.
·
Commercial drivers to appreciate the use of orthodox medicine
because it has undergone scientific and reliable process.
·
Commercial drivers to realize that an alternative therapy may
not work for them for the fact that it relieved symptoms in or worked for a
friend or fellow driver.
·
Nurses and other health care providers as key guidelines for
health educating commercial drivers and other members of the public on the
advantages of orthodox medicine over alternative therapies.
RESEARCH QUESTION
·
What are the factors influencing preference of alternative
therapies to orthodox medicine among commercial drivers?
·
What is the level of utilization of alternative therapies to
orthodox medicine among commercial drivers?
·
What are the forms of alternative medicine used by commercial
drivers?
·
What are the reasons for commercial drivers’ preference of
alternative medicine to orthodox medicine?
SCOPE
OF STUDY/DELIMITATION
The study was restricted to commercial drivers at ring road in Benin City.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
·
Factors: One or several things
that cause or influence commercial drivers at ring road in Benin City to prefer
the use of alternative therapies.
·
Influence: The effect of alternative
therapies on the way commercial drivers at ring road in Benin City think or
behave.
·
Preference: A greater desire for
alternative therapies than orthodox medicine by commercial drivers at ring road
in Benin City.
·
Alternative therapy: Is the use of herbs and
other health care practices, products and therapies that are not included in
the degree courses of established medical schools by commercial drivers at ring
road in Benin City.
·
Orthodox Medicine: It is the use of drugs
and operations to cure and treat illness among commercial drivers at ring road
in Benin City.
================================================================
Item Type: Project Material | Attribute: 65 pages | Chapters: 1-5
Format: MS Word | Price: N3,000 | Delivery: Within 30Mins.
================================================================
No comments:
Post a Comment