Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Empirical Investigation of the Impact of Traditional Medicine on Life Expectancy in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Version 1 : Received: 15 September 2023 / Approved: 18 September 2023 / Online: 18 September 2023 (07:17:14 CEST)

How to cite: TANKO KURE, P.; Nwachukwu, V.; Nanbol, D.; Inchikida, B.; Tyolumun, S. J. Empirical Investigation of the Impact of Traditional Medicine on Life Expectancy in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Preprints 2023, 2023091110. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202309.1110.v1 TANKO KURE, P.; Nwachukwu, V.; Nanbol, D.; Inchikida, B.; Tyolumun, S. J. Empirical Investigation of the Impact of Traditional Medicine on Life Expectancy in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Preprints 2023, 2023091110. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202309.1110.v1

Abstract

The study investigated the impact of traditional medicine on life expectancy in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The study adopted a quantitative research approach. Purposive or judgmental sampling was used to elucidate the data set used for the study. Cross-sectional data were gathered with the help of a well-designed questionnaire from a total of three hundred and fifty-seven (357) respondents who were available for the survey. The data set collected was analysed using descriptive and linear regression using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS). From the results, 53%, 87%, and 56% were male, below 50 years old, and in the low-income class, respectively, suggesting that the bulk of the respondents under investigation were male, young, and had rather modest incomes. Also, 53% were married, and all had one form of formal education. 67% of respondents acknowledge using traditional medicine; however, the majority of respondents preferred Orthodox medical care over alternative kinds of care. Traditional medicine (TM) and factors that contribute to the advancement of traditional medicine (FITM) have a negative impact on life expectancy, according to the regression analysis. On the other hand, TM has no statistically significant impact on life expectancy, despite FITM having a statistically significant effect at the 5% level. All available data, however, indicates that TM and FITM have an impact on life expectancy, either directly or indirectly. Based on the results, this study concluded that traditional medicine has the potential to significantly increase life expectancy in Nasarawa State and throughout Nigeria. The study recommends that traditional health professionals, stakeholders, and concerned government agencies should put efforts in place to improve and promote modern traditional medicine among the people, especially its effectiveness and medicinal quality, increase its accessibility to people, and efficiently regulate its prices to increase its affordability for low-income earners.

Keywords

traditional medicine; life expectancy; health care

Subject

Public Health and Healthcare, Primary Health Care

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