Ethnopsychiatry Of The Nsukkaigbo Of Southeastern Nigeria: An Ethnographic Survey

Abstract

There is a growing view that for more success in mental healthcare, a contextual approach is

necessary either as stand alone or complimentary to the orthodox approach. In this inquiry, the

autochthonous Nsukka psychiatric system was studied using ethnographic approach, and

compared with orthodox health system. The principal data collection strategy used was the full

participant observation technique. This was supplemented with focus group discussion and indepth

interview techniques. The results showed that although the Nsukka traditional health

system has been overlain with the received social institutions and their attendant values, the

personalistic element is still a decisive factor in their health seeking attitudes. Our findings seem

to suggest that for a mental healthcare program to be culturally acceptable and to succeed among

any group, it has to be built on a thorough knowledge of the specifics of their own peculiar socio-cultural patterns.

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