Collaborating with Traditional Eye Medicine Practioners in South Western Nigeria: Towards Universal Eye Health

Abstract

Aim: To determine the magnitude of traditional eye medicine practitioners and the eye conditions they treat in a local community and proffer a form of continuous education to improve on their practices. Study Design: A prospective cross sectional study. Methodology: Traditional medical practitioners from 2 randomly selected local government areas [LGA] in Ogun State were invited for a one day seminar on primary eye care at the Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan - Remo. Ogun State in April 2013. Each respondent filled out an assistant administered questionnaire after a written consent. Results: Fifty six respondents took part in the study with 61% females. Age range was 28-73 years with a mean of 50.49 ± 11.24 years. 96.4% had at least primary education. Only 14.3% indicated that they treat eye conditions [TH] while 32.1% did not indicate if they treated or did not treat eye conditions. Eye conditions treated were red eyes, eye discharges and cataract. Medications used were mainly plant extracts, breast milk, urine mixture and other native mixtures. 25% gave their medications by direct instillation into the eyes while 62.5% was by direct instillation and incantation. Seventy five percent of the respondents that indicated treating eye conditions learnt the procedure from their 'masters' and 50% of them presently have trainees. 32.1% of the respondents declined answering our questionnaires but indicated interest in learning more about primary eye care. Conclusion: Reaching out to the traditional eye care practitioners is an essential tool towards achieving universal eye care in Nigeria.