RESEARCH TOPIC :

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

METHODOLOGY

An exploratory study design will be used to collect data from the ….

Respondents selected using convenient sampling technique. Data will be
collected using structured self-administered questionnaires. The data collected
will be sorted and analyzed using a statistical software SPSS

FINDINGS
The results of the study reveal that …………….

CONCLUSION

In conclusion…………

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION
The term traditional medicine is used to describe traditional medical practices
that has been in existence even before the advent of modern medicine.
Traditional medicine is an art of treatment practices, strategies, knowledge, and
beliefs including plant-, animal-, and mineral-based medicines, spiritual
therapies, manual techniques, and workouts applied singularly or in
combination to treat, identify, and prevent illnesses or uphold the well-being.
Since ancient times, humans have been using natural products, such as plants,
animals, microorganisms, and oceanic organisms, in remedies to prevent or treat
ill-ness (Chali et al., 2021)
According to WHO, there has been a continuous demand for and popular use of
traditional medicine worldwide .An estimated 65–80% of the world’s healthcare
practice includes the use of traditional medicine in some way (Akerele, 1984).
Many of the traditionally used medicinal plants contains pharmaceutically
active compounds and are used in the preparation of both modern and
traditional medicine. Globally, an estimated 25% of pharmaceutical
preparations and more than 50% in the USA contain plant derived active
principles (Addis et al., 2002)
In Africa, traditional medicine is part of the first set of response mechanisms for
medical emergencies, whereas in others, the whole health system of the
community relies on medicines embedded in indigenous practice and
belief(Agbor & Naidoo, 2016). It is estimated that around 27 million people in
south Africa depend on traditional medicine (Addis et al., 2002)
Sub-Saharan Africa is one region of the world in which traditional medicine has
long been held to be wide spread with considerable number of the population
relying on it to maintain their health. Traditional medicine is part of the first set
of response mechanisms for medical emergencies, whereas in others, the whole
health system of the community relies on medicines embedded in indigenous
practice and belief. This is due to the fact that modern pharmaceuticals and
medical procedures remain unreachable to a large number of the population due
to their relatively high cost and concentration of health facilities in urban
centers. Also, due to its intrinsic qualities, unique and holistic approaches as
well as accessibility and affordability made it the best alternative care preferred
by most of the population especially in the rural communities of most
developing countries.(James et al., 2018)
However, despite the high consideration given to the traditional medicine
practice around the world, it seems to face numerous challenges. The most
important recognized challenge is the lack of a reference standard for
determining the proper dosage of the traditional medicine for the patients. This
in turn has resulted in the creation of incorrect and incomplete information
about the traditional medicine drugs. Another very important challenge is the
lack of national policy to manage and legalize the practice of using traditional
medicine
Nationally, I was not able to come across any published or unpublished
literatures on level of community preference between modern and traditional
medicine. However, various studies in other African countries have come up
with the following findings, In Uganda, Preference of the Community for the
Management of Different Ailments for the Future. The majority (204 (75.3%))
of them preferred modern medicine, and only 25 (9.2%) of the participants
preferred the use of traditional medicine for any types of ailments (Abbo et al.,
2019). According to (Chali et al., 2021), The World Health Organization
(WHO) in 1983 estimated that , majority of the population in developing
countries depend on traditional and herbal medicines as their primary source of
health care and The Gambia is definitely one of the developing countries.
Therefore, it is appropriate to assess the preference and practice of traditional
medicine and its determinants and reasons for preferring the practices and
possible factors triggering the continuous interest in traditional medicine among
the community.
1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT
Globally, an estimated 25% of pharmaceutical preparations and more than 50%
in the USA contain plant derived active principles (Addis et al., 2002). The
WHO has estimated that about 65 – 80% of the world population uses
traditional medicine.
According to (Chali et al., 2021), The World Health Organization (WHO) in
1983 estimated that , majority of the population in developing countries depend
on traditional and herbal medicines as their primary source for health care and
The Gambia is definitely no exception. Therefore, it is appropriate to assess the
preference and practice of traditional medicine and its determinants and reasons
for preferring the practices and possible factors triggering the continuous
interest in traditional medicine among the community.
According to a study by Street et al (2008) have stated that, an estimated 72%
of the Black African population in South Africa relying on traditional medicine,
accounting for some 26.6 million consumers. Another study conducted in
Ethiopia by Addis et al., (2002) has revealed that about 79% of the respondents
have at least once visited a traditional healer to seek for treatment and 71.4%
believe that traditional medicine is important for maintaining health
In Ghana a study by Gyasi et al., (2011) has revealed that (78.3%) of the
participants visits a traditional healers first for their present complaint. For
personal medical remedy, (34.8%) of the participants had visited traditional
healers at least once in their lifetime. the result recorded for personal preference
for modern healthcare service showed that (78.3%) prefer the modern medical
system over the traditional and only (21.7%) chose traditional medicine. The
Gambia is no exception, however there is no published literatures regarding the
topic in discussion as a result, it’s difficult to quantify the magnitude of the
problem nationally,

1.3 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study is expected to determine the current level of community preference
between modern and traditional medicine. The findings of the study will
provide information on level of preference and also the reasons for the said
level of preference of both modern and traditional medicine. Recommendations
that will be made are going to help the authorities and policy makers in their
quest to adequately address the needs of the community.
In addition, the findings of this study can also serve as a baseline data in
advocating for large scale researches on this topic. This will further trigger
interventions such as setting up committees to regulate the practice of
traditional medicine as they do for modern medicine. Since as of this moment,
there is no published literatures nationally.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Broad objective
To assess Community preference between traditional (complementary or
alternative) medicine and modern medicine (conventional medicine)

Specific objective

 To determine community preference between traditional and modern

medicine

 To determine factors that influence community preference for modern

(conventional) medicine

 To determine Factors that influence community preference for traditional

1.4.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS:

 What is the community preference between modern and traditional
medicine?
 What are the factors that influence community preference to traditional
medicine?
 What are the factors that influence community preference to modern
medicine

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE

The use of traditional medicine is increasing worldwide, a survey conducted by

WHO (2005) has estimated that about 65- 80% of the world’s people uses
herbal medicine for treating their sicknesses. Similarly, a study conducted by
Adorision et al (2016) has also put forward that the use of traditional medicine
in the developed countries is steadily gaining momentum. In the United States,
38.3% of adults and 11.8% of children have used some form of CAM, and
many physicians in Europe and North America have referred their patients for
acupuncture (43%), chiropractice (40%), and/or massage therapy (21%)
Furthermore, In Africa, up to 80% of the population uses traditional medicine
for primary health care (WHO, 2003)(Addis et al., 2002). According to Abbo et
al (2019) ,in Uganda, nearly 80% of the population relies on traditional
medicine for their mental health care. According to a study by Street et al
(2008) have stated that, an estimated 72% of the Black African population in
South Africa relying on traditional medicine, accounting for some 26.6 million
consumers. Another study conducted in Ethiopia by Addis et al., (2002) has
revealed that about 79% of the respondents have at least once visited a
traditional healer to seek for treatment and 71.4% believe that traditional
medicine is important for maintaining health. The same study further stated that
98% of the respondents prefer traditional medicine due to cultural reasons
whereas 65% of them indicated efficacy of the preparation as the main reason
behind its acceptance. (Chali et al., 2021) has revealed that majority of the
respondents (75.3%) preferred modern medicine, and only (9.2%) preferred the
use of traditional medicine for any types of ailments. The study further stated
that the reasons for the preference of traditional medicine, all the respondents
(100.0%) says affordability and about (84.0%) stated religious affiliation as the
reason for their preference. Chali et al., (2021) conducted a study in Ethiopia on
determinants of traditional medicine practice and revealed that the affordability
of traditional medicine contributed to its use by up to 80% of the population,
while 20% added deprived access to modern healthcare facilities as the reason
for its used.
Finally although my search was unable to generate any literatures nationally,
however a study conducted in Ghana by Gyasi et al., (2011) has revealed that
(78.3%) of the participants visits a traditional healers first for their present
complaint. For personal medical remedy, (34.8%) of the participants had visited
traditional healers at least once in their lifetime. the result recorded for personal
preference for modern healthcare service showed that (78.3%) prefer the
modern medical system over the traditional and only (21.7%) chose traditional
medicine.

CHAPTER THREE
3.1 METHODOLOGY
The methodology describes the overall plan of the study. It will address the
design that will be used in the study, the study sitting, the study population,
sampling size and technique, inclusion and exclusion criteria, data collection
 method and instrument, reliability and viability, data analysis plan and
ethical consideration

3.2 STUDY DESIGN:

In this research, an exploratory study design will be used to gather data from
the various respondents. This design is chosen due to inadequate literature on
this topic at national level and hence, the researcher`s low level of
knowledge on the topic. This design will be used to measure the association
between the variables of the study. The variables of the study include the
following:
3.3 STUDY SITE AND AREAS
The study will be conducted in Brikama Gidda, west coast region The Gambia.
Brikama Town (also spelt Birikama) and its outlying vicinity are in the Kombo Central District, West
Coast Region of The Gambia, in West Africa. It is the regional capital of the Western Region, the base for
the headquarters of Brikama area council & it is the most populated Local Government Area in the
country. Located inland, in the South Bank, the main urban settlement is about 35km southwest of the
Banjul capital, and has an estimated population of 750,000 people (699,704 - 2013 census). It is where the
regional health director is recorded .

3.4 STUDY POPULATION AND SAMPLE SIZE:

The study population is ……... A sample size of ………..respondents will be
selected for this study using Taro Yamane’s formula. This will represent
………% of the study population. A sample has been selected in order to
save time and also since this research is self-funded, selecting just a sample
from the larger group will enable the researcher to manage the little
resources in hand and still have data that could be a representation of the
group the sample has been chosen from.

3.5 SAMPLING TECHNIQUES

Convenient sampling will be used to select the required respondents from the
targeted population to participate in this study. This technique is chosen due
to the nature of the work schedule of the respondents and also for easy
access by the researcher. This means that all respondents who are present at
the time of data collection and are willing to participate will be conveniently
selected to participate by the researcher.

3.5.1 INCLUSION CRITERIA:

In this study, the inclusion criteria will be all ……………. who are available
at the time of the study and are willing to provide consent will be included

3.5.2 EXCLUSION CRITERIA

The participants who are on Annual, Maternal and or Sick leaves and those
who are available but did not consent to participate will be excluded in this
study.

3.6 DATA COLLECTION TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES

Data will be collected through the use of self-administered questionnaires
consisting of questions an age, gender, years of experience, preference
between modern and traditional medicine which will be given to each
participant to fill.
3.7 PLAN FOR DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION:
Data will be sorted and analyzed using statistical software SPSS hence it’s
the method understood by the researcher. The findings will be presented in
tables and charts for overall presentation and description of the collected
data.

3.8 ETHICAL CONSIDERATION.

Prior to commencement of the research, a letter requesting permission to

conduct the research study will be written to the relevant authorities.
Permission will also be sought from the respondents. They shall be informed
that participation is voluntary and that they can withdrew from the study at
 any given time they deem necessary. Participants will be assured of highest
degree of confidentiality.

REFERENCE

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Development, 16(1), 19–23.
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Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2021.
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system in Ghana.
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Development, 16(1), 19–23.
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