Perceptions and attitudes of modern and traditional medical practitioners about traditional medical practice in Eritrea

Background: Traditional medicine has a long roots and a wide acceptance throughout Eritrea.It is used in the prevention and treatment of physical and mental disorders as well as social imbalance.It is compatible with the prevailing health beliefs and practices in most parts of Eritrea.Traditional Eritrean pharmacopoeia comprises various plant and animal products, spiritual healings, physiotherapy, and traditional surgical practices.Objective: The study aims to assess the perceptions and attitudes of modern and traditional medical practitioners about traditional medical practice in Eritrea.It tries to promote positive elements of traditional medicine and its integration with modern health care practices as well as in formulating a policy that includes both practices for optimum health care coverage.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2005 in four administrative regions of Eritrea.A sample of 100 Traditional Medical Practitioners and 100 Modern Medical Practitioners were selected for the study.Data was collected through questionnaire and semi-structured interviews.During the study period ten types of TMPs and five types of MMPs (physicians, pharmacists, nurses and health technicians) were approached.Data was analysed through quantitative and qualitative methods.The study adopts a deductive approach to analyse the perceptions and attitudes of modern and traditional medical practitioners about traditional medical practice in Eritrea. Results:The study shows that about 57% of MMPs supported the idea of combined therapy (traditional and modern) for certain types of diseases, and 53% agreed to collaborate with traditional medical practitioners in research and in the treatment of certain diseases in which the traditional medical system is claimed to be effective.The need for collaboration is stressed largely due to the emphasis on the socio-cultural dimensions of health.The overall findings from the responses of both traditional and modern medical practitioners indicated that generally there is goodwill to establish positive relationships and collaborations between both practitioners although there are significant differences not only in their way of thinking but also in their perceptions of man and health.Conclusion: Traditional and modern health care systems are complementary than competitive.Traditional medical system complements the modern health care system in the social, medical and economical dimensions.With proper documentation and scientific research, traditional medicine will solve much of basic health care service problems of the Eritrean people, particularly the underserved rural community.Hence there is a need for the identification, documentation and registration of diseases that can be effectively cured by traditional medicine, as well as training of TMPs in the diagnosis, preparation and dosage control of traditional medicaments.