Help-Seeking From Traditional Healers Among Singaporean Older Adults
- Author:
Shazana Binte Mohamed Shahwan
;
Edimansyah Abdin
;
Janhavi Vaingankar
;
Saleha Binte Shafie
;
Chong Siow Ann
;
Mythily Subramaniam
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Traditional Medicine, Alternative Medicine, Older Adult, HelpSeeking, Treatment
- From:ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry
2016;17(2):160-170
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The objectives were to identify the socio-demographic characteristics
of older adults who visit traditional healers as well as identify medical and
psychiatric conditions that are associated with visits to the traditional healer.
Methods: Data from 2563 older adults who participated in the Well-being of the
Singapore Elderly (WiSE) population-based survey was used. Sociodemographic
information, details on traditional healer visits as well as medical
and psychiatric conditions were collated through an adapted 10/66 protocol.
Results: A total of 10.4% of older adults sought help from a traditional healer
within the past three months. There were significantly more visits to traditional
healers by women, those whose highest level of education was primary or
secondary school, those who had stomach/intestine problems and those who had
anxiety symptoms. Conclusions: Traditional healers appear to be a preferred
source of help among some older adult groups. Future research should focus on
the impact of seeking help from these alternative healthcare providers in terms
of clinical outcomes and costs. ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 17 (2): July –
December 2016: XX XX.
- Full text:P020170619551906843069.pdf
