Socio-cultural Factors Influencing the Use of Spiritual Healing Churches in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

In recent years, we have witnessed the proliferation of spiritual healing churches in Nigeria. These churches have been serving as healing places, despite the tremendous increase in modern health care services. The study examined how socio-cultural factors influence the use of spiritual health care services. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. The target population for the study comprised all the users of spiritual healing churches as a source of remedy for their problems. The respondents were drawn from the five local government areas within Ibadan metropolis. A random sampling technique was used to select 200 respondents. A self-completed questionnaire tagged: Utilization of Spiritual Healing Churches' Evaluative Questionnaire (UOSHCEQ) was used to collect the requisite data. The data was analysed using chi-square ( χ 2) statistics. The result showed that there was a significant relationship between educational background of the patients and the use of spiritual healing churches ( χ 2 = 36.7, df = 9, P < 0.05). Significant relationships were also revealed between income of the patients and the use of spiritual healing churches (χ 2 = 37.8, df = 15, P < 0.05) and between perception of illness by the patients and the use of spiritual healing churches (χ2 = 36.7, df = 9, P < 0.05). Based on these findings, it is recommended that those concerned with planning modern medical facilities should pay attention to the existence of more alternatives to health care deliveries. It is further recommended that, spiritual healing practitioners be given some induction courses in basic medical care in the same manner with 'Traditional Birth Attendant' (TBA). This is necessary because many cases of childbearing problems are greatly handled by the spiritual healing practitioners.