Abstract
BackgroundResearch into health and health-care seeking behaviour amongst immigrant populations suggests that culturally-based behaviours change over time towards those prevalent in the host culture. Such acculturation of immigrant groups occurs as part of the interaction of immigrants with mainstream culture. This study examined the acculturation of Ghanaian immigrants in Greater Toronto Area (Canada) focusing particularly on attitudes towards and usage of Ghanaian traditional medicine (TRM).MethodsThe study used both quantitative and qualitative methods. Structured questionnaire interviews were conducted with a sample of Ghanaians in active collaboration with the Ghanaian-Canadian Association in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). A total of 512 questionnaire interviews were conducted. In addition, three focus groups of nine participants each were conducted with a sub-sample of Ghanaians in Canada.ResultsBoth the questionnaire and the focus groups indicated that nearly 73% of the Ghanaian immigrants in Canada have a positive attitude toward Ghanaian TRM. This is in comparison with less than 30% who have changed their attitude for various reasons. Some of the attraction of TRM lies in its holistic origin. Ghanaians in the GTA have been pursuing 'integration' and 'assimilation' in their acculturation in Canada. Some have given up or modified some of their attitudes and opinions toward TRM to embrace the 'modern' or 'civilized' way of living.ConclusionThere is the need for health care providers and other stakeholders to be aware of the influence of religion on African immigrants during their acculturation process. Although modernity is said to be founded on the 'ruthless undermining of tradition', there is no evidence to suggest that Ghanaian traditional religion has been undermined to such an extent that there is a major change in attitudes towards TRM.
Highlights
Research into health and health-care seeking behaviour amongst immigrant populations suggests that culturally-based behaviours change over time towards those prevalent in the host culture
To what extent does 'modern life' affect the opinions, perceptions, attitudes and views of Africans in particular and immigrants in general as they move from their native countries to industrialised ones? Some have argued that when immigrants from Africa start adopting 'modern life', the beliefs in and the practice of traditional medicine (TRM) will become a thing of the past [1]
Of those who were born in Canada, nearly 30% reported that they had changed their views on TRM
Summary
Research into health and health-care seeking behaviour amongst immigrant populations suggests that culturally-based behaviours change over time towards those prevalent in the host culture. Such acculturation of immigrant groups occurs as part of the interaction of immigrants with mainstream culture. This study examined the acculturation of Ghanaian immigrants in Greater Toronto Area (Canada) focusing on attitudes towards and usage of Ghanaian traditional medicine (TRM). Scholars have tried to explain why people change their opinions, views or perceptions about certain issues such as traditional medicine (TRM) as they migrate from their homeland to a different socio-economic and cultural environment. The successful adaptation of immigrants to their new social environment is crucial, because of the problems that maladjustment can create, and because evidence suggests that support for immigrant resettlement among Canadians is contingent upon it [3]."
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