The purpose of this study was to
explore the clinical conditions
brought to indigenous healers by
people in the rural areas in search of
health care. The demographic
variables and preventive, promotive,
curative and follow-up activities of
indigenous healers were
investigated. Data were collected
from a simple random sample o f 35
indigeru)us healers. A questionnaire
designed by Mogoba (1984) fo r
investigation o f training and
functioning o f traditional doctors in
Southern Africa was modified and
used to collect data.
Findings showed that indigenous
healers deal with the same health
problems confronting formal health
workers, especially in the paediatric
field. Infertility, mental illness
problems and sexually transmitted
diseases ranked high in the adult
conditions brought to the healers.
There seem to be conditions that can
be handled only by the indigenous
healers due to their cultural nature.
Findings also show that the services
o f indigenous healers are not
confined to any specific group or
social class within black population.
INTRODUCTION