title: Unconventional medical practices among Ghanaian students: A university-based survey.
abstract: Research on unconventional medical practices among students has proliferated lately in the global space, hitherto, little is known explicitly in Ghana. This paper teases out insights for recent utilisation patterns of traditional medical therapies at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana. A sample of 754, randomly selected undergraduates were involved in a retrospective cross-sectional survey. Data were analysed using multivariate logistic regression and Pearson'sχ2test withp< 0.05 as significant. Overall prevalence of traditional therapies consumption was 89.1% in the last 12 months. Herbal-based products (67%), prayer healing (15%) and body-mind therapies (11%) were principally used and, accessed through purchases from pharmacy shops (29%) and encounter with faith healers (26%). Although students' knowledge on traditional therapies was acquired through family members (50%) and media (23%), literary materials remained significant information routes for Science related students compared to the Non-science related counterparts (p< 0.001). Pursuing Non-science-related programme [odds ratio (OR) 6.154 (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.745-10.111;p< 0.001)] and having Christian faith [OR 2.450 (95% CI 1.359-4.415;p= 0.003)] were strongly associated with students' traditional therapies use. Although students exhibited positive attitude towards unconventional therapies, there is an urgent need to validate the quality of traditional therapies through randomised clinical trials and regulatory practices to ensure quality control. Health forces should intensify efforts towards intercultural health care system in Ghana.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology and Social Policy, Faculty of Social Sciences, Lingnan University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Department of Geography and Rural Development, Faculty of Social Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
authors.forename: Razak Mohammed
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Gyasi
authors.affiliation: Department of Geography and Rural Development, Faculty of Social Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
authors.forename: Williams
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Agyemang-Duah
authors.affiliation: Department of Geography and Rural Development, Faculty of Social Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
authors.forename: Charlotte Monica
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Mensah
authors.affiliation: Department of Geography and Rural Development, Faculty of Social Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Arthur
authors.affiliation: Department of Geography and Rural Development, Faculty of Social Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
authors.forename: Roselyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Torkornoo
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology and Social Policy, Faculty of Social Sciences, Lingnan University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
authors.forename: Padmore Adusei
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Amoah
keywords: Intercultural healthcare; Kumasi; Prayer healing; Regulatory practices; Traditional medical therapies; University students