Medical doctors do not know it, nor can they treat it: Identifying the common neonatal illnesses and preferred healthcare practices in a Yoruba community, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Prompt and effective healthcare practice is essential to reducing neonatal morbidity and mortality which is at a higher rate among low-income nations including Nigeria, especially in rural settings. Studies have identified some structural factors such as poverty and limited healthcare resources as major factors without giving adequate attention to the related intrinsic factors such as peoples‟ understanding and beliefs among other cultural factors that could encourage or hinder effective healthcare practices for the neonates which is the gap of this study intends to fill. Methods: First-hand data were collected during a six-month rapid ethnographic fieldwork at Akinlalu using various qualitative methods of data collection including observations, interviews, and discussion among others. The main focuses were the community's social life and activities and socio-cultural structures such as faith homes and healthcare as well as individuals (grandmothers, grandfathers, birth attendants, medical doctors, and childbearing fathers and mothers) involved in family and children's health in this community. Results: Findings reveal an array of neonatal illnesses and interestingly a high level of discordance between the perceived illnesses, causes, and treatment between local people and modern healthcare providers. Widely identified and considered the deadliest neonatal diseases are senukoto, oka, and yiyi (measles). Others mentioned are giri (convulsion), olo-inu, and jedi-jedi. Senukoto is believed to be caused by kokoro (bacteria/germs) and can kill the infected neonate within the first seven days after birth if not adequately treated. Oka, yiiyi, and olo-inu were also considered deadly, usually causing taboos violation while eating sweetening things during pregnancy or breastfeeding is the perceived cause of jedi-jedi. Conclusion: the study concludes that rural dwellers often cast doubt on orthodox medical practitioners in response to childhood illnesses and treatment which in most cases have implications for prompt healthcare seeking and non-adherence to the medically prescribed regimen.