Title:   HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEM AMONG WOMEN IN IGBO TRADITION: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS

Abstract
Women in a general sense are regarded as the weak sex, therefore, for health
reasons, cautions are taken in dealing with them. The Igbo are not an exemption
in this worldview. At the birth of a girl-child, special care is taken among the
Igbo. But the problem this study identifies is that while in some cases, the Igbo
think they offer the female gender care health wise, they place them on higher
health risks. For example, while they clitoridectomize or mutilate their genital
organ (clitoris) to reduce the risk of contracting sexual transmitted diseases
because of the belief that it reduces early pregnancy and excess sexual urge
abortion, these children face more health dangers connected to infectious
diseases. They are restricted from some physical and social engagements
because of their biological or physiological features. Some of these physical and
social restrictions also affect their lives negatively. It is found in this research
that these traditional and cultural misconception and restrictions have scared
modern women away from paying attention to positive health advantages in
the Igbo traditional health care delivery system in women’s lives. The research
aims at closing the gap between the wrong perceptions and applications of
traditional healthcare system among modern women with the traditional Igbo
women. The study uses historical and phenomenological research method. Data
were sourced from secondary and primary materials. Data gotten were analyzed
with deceptive method of data analysis. It is finally recommended among other
things that both traditional and modern women should harmonize the health
discrepancies between old and new Igbo world.
Keywords: Healthcare Delivery System, Women, Igbo Tradition, Problems and
Prospect

Citations:

Publication Date: 2022-08-06