A SURVEY OF THE DISTRIBUTION AND PRACTICE OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN IBADAN METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Traditional medicine is the most accessible and affordable healthcare to majority of people in rural and sub-urban areas of Nigeria. However, despite its high patronage, the methods used by TMHPs in diagnosing mentally ill patients remain crude due to the reliance on supernatural means for treatment. This practice has been adjudged to be unscientific and unsafe. A study was carried out to investigate the practice of mental health care centres in Ibadan Metropolis. Data were obtained through the administration of structured questionnaire to 64 purposively selected traditional mental health practitioners (TMHPs) across the 5 Local Government Areas of Ibadan Metropolis as well as through focus group discussions with 24 TMHPs. Data obtained were analysed using simple percentages and content analysis. Result showed that THMPs enjoyed considerable patronage from the common people, due to their numerical strength, easily accessible nature as they reflect the indigenous people’s cultural perception. The result further showed that TMHPs were eager to attend seminar in order to improve on their skills. Since, TMHPs still play a major role in the treatment of mentally ill patients; the study suggests the need for routine seminar and workshop in order to create awareness concerning basic hygiene and treatment of mentally patients among TMHPs. If this is put in place, it may increase accessibility to mental healthcare thereby making the MDGs on health by the 2020 achievable.