1. Outline of Presentation
 Introduction
 Problem Statement
 Research Questions
 Objectives of the study
 Study Hypotheses
 Methodology
 Conceptual Model
 References

2. Introd’n
 Health is an indicator of development and the
mechanism for achieving development (Buor, 2008).
 Strong health systems are fundamental to improve
health outcomes and accelerate progress towards health-
related MDGs (WHO, 2009).
 The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of
health is fundamental right of every human being (WHO,
1946; UN, 2000; Human Right Council, 2002).

3. Intro Cont’d
 Indeed, the sine qua non of large and effective
labour force is good health (Baidoo, 2009; Buor,
2008).
 Wealth of a nation is a function of the well-
being of the people (Sen, 1987; Todaro & Smith,
2009).

4. The Problem
 Health system in Ghana has gone through series of
changes since independence (van den Boom et al.,
2004; Sowa, 2000).
 With burden of diseases and escalating costs of
health services, there is urgency to extend health
services beyond OM (Buor, 2008; WHO, 2010;
Baidoo, 2009; Mutabazi, 2008).
 Doctor/population ratio=1:11,929
 TMP/population ratio = 1:386 (MOH/GHS Report,
2009).

5. Problem Cont’d
Spatial disparity in health care access is critical
in Ghana (Mensah, 2008; Buor, 2008).
 OM has failed in handling tropical most
diseases -malaria, piles, boils, infertility (Gyasi et
al., 2011; Buor, 1993).

6. Problem Cont’d
 TM is effective/cost-effective/available to the
people (Gyasi et al., 2011; Fokunang et al, 2011;
Kuete et al., 2007; Xu & Levine, 2008; WHO, 2008).
 In Ghana TM is trusted and practiced in line with
the socio-cultural background of people (Kitua, 2004;
Graz et al., 2011).
 People by choice or necessity rely on TM for
primary health care needs (Gyasi et al, 2011;
Tchiakpe, 2004).

7. Problem Cont’d
 Some studies associate the TM use with
demographic/socio-economic characteristics of patients
(Peltzer, 2008; Dhalla et al, 2006; Thomas et al, 2007;
Aydin et al, 2008; Mensah and Gyasi [in press]; Lorenc et
al, 2009; Chao and Wade, 2008).
 There are other complex psycho-social, cultural and
belief factors (Gyasi et al, 2011; Osamor and Owumi,
2010; Menniti-Ippolito, 2002; Bishop et al, 2007).
 Findings are mixed and not well understood.
Investigating the determinants of use of TM in Ghana
becomes relevant.

8. Research Questions
 What demographic, socio-economic & psycho-
social factors are associated with the use of TM
in Ghana?
 Are there any differences in the utilization of
TM between rural and urban areas in Ghana?
 To what extent does the NHIS impact the
pattern of use of traditional medical services.
 What are the factors that militate against the
efforts to integrating the TM into the
mainstream health care delivery in Ghana?

9. Study Objectives
 Examine the predictors associated with the use of
TM in Ghana.
 Attempt a comparative analysis of the use of TM
between rural and urban communities in Ghana.
 Investigate the impact of NHIS on the pattern of use
of TM in Ghana.
 Analyse the determinants of integrating TM into the
mainstream health care system in Ghana.

10. Study Hypotheses
 The research will be based on the following hypotheses:
 Household income level does not show association with
utilisation of TM.
 The education level does not influence the use of TM.
 Residential status has no association with the TM use in
Ghana.
 Affective behaviour of TMPs does not show a strong
relationship with the utilisation of TM.
 National Health insurance status has no relationship with
utilisation of TM in Ghana.

11. Methods
 The study design
 Cohort and cross-sectional survey (Buor,
2004).
 Mixed method of quantitative & qualitative
approaches (Trochim, 2006; Mack et al, 2005).
 The variable
 Response variable: utilisation of TM.
 Explanatory variables: demographic (eg. Age,
sex), socio-economic (eg. Income, education),
psycho-social (eg. Belief, culture) and
accessibility factors (eg. Cost, availability).

12. Methods Cont’d
 Sampling
 Study Areas: Sekyere South District and Kumasi
Metropolis of Ashanti
 Study Communities: Atonsu, Tanoso, Tafo,
Ayigya, Asawase, Bepoase, Jamasi, Agona,
Asamang, Wiamoase.

13. Methods Cont’d
Study Sample & Size: Clients of TM (470), TMPs
(20), OMPs (20) and key informants-MoH/GHS (2).
 Sampling Technique: Systematic random
sampling, snowball & purposive techniques.
Sources of Data: 4-sets of primary data.
Secondary information from archives & documents.
 Data Collection Tools: Questionnaire/ structured
interviews (for Quantitative data) & In-depth
interviews (for Qualitative data).

14. Method Cont’d
Data Analysis:
 Quantitative: Bivariate/multivariate/Stepwise
multiple regression techniques via PASW v.17.0;
Percentages/frequency tables/charts will be
used to present data.
Significance: ≤ 0.05.
 Qualitative: Content analysis through themes
& direct quotes.

15. Significance of the Study
Increase knowledge and add to literature.
 Useful to MoH/GHS and Traditional/
Alternative Medicines Unit.
Useful to WHO/WHA.

16. Significance Cont’d
A mechanism for the actualization of
Health For All Policy in Ghana.
 Contributes to the achievement of the
health-related MDGs in Ghana.

17. References
 Buor, D. (2008). Analysing the socio-spatial inequities in
the access of health services in sub-Saharan Africa
Professorial Inaugural Lecture. Great Hall, KNUST, October
9, 2008.
 Gyasi, R. M., Mensah, C. M., Adjei, P. O and Agyemang, S
(2011) Public Perceptions of the Role of TM in the Health
Care Delivery System in Ghana. Global Journal of Health
Science: Vol. 3, No. 2; doi:10.5539/gjhs.v3n2p40.
 Osamor, P. E and Owumi, B. E (2010) Contemporary and
alternative medicine in the management of hypertension
in an urban Nigerian community. BMC Complementary and
Alternative Medicine, 10:36
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/10/36

18. References Cont’d
Karl Peltzer, Natalie F Preez, Shandir Ramlagan and Henry Fomundam (2008)
Use of traditional complementary and alternative medicine for HIV patients in
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. BMC Public Health. 8:255.
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/8/255
Trochim, W. M. K. (2006). Qualitative Methods.
http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/qualmeth.php. (Accessed: March,
2012).
Ghana Health Service/Ministry of Health (2009) Final draft of Annual Report
Graz, B., Kitua, A. Y and Malebo, H. M (2011) To what extent can TM
contributes a complementary or alternative solution to malaria control
programmes? Malaria Journal, 10 (Suppl 1):S6. Available at:
http://www.malariajournal.com/content/10/S1/S6

19. THANK YOU
for
YOUR TIME & ATTENTION