2003年-世界发展银行全球_A_Qualitative_Understanding_of_Local_Traditional_Knowledge_and_Medicinal_Plant_Use_4页_385kb

Ethiopia: A Qualitative Understanding of Local Traditional Knowledge and Medicinal Plant Use

Core Content

This document presents a qualitative analysis of traditional health knowledge and medicinal plant use in rural communities of Ethiopia, with a focus on the "lay domain" of knowledge, rather than the professional or institutionalized aspects of traditional medicine. It is based on fieldwork conducted in the rural Bahir Dar Zuria district of Gojam (now part of the Amhara Regional State), highlighting the widespread reliance on local plant-derived medicines for basic health care.

Main Objectives and Methods

The study aimed to understand the distribution and use of traditional health knowledge among ordinary men and women in rural Ethiopia. It employed a multidisciplinary approach, combining:

• Household surveys
• Oral histories with knowledgeable elders
• Focused discussions with mothers at local health centers
• Local market surveys
• Questionnaires administered to high-school students
• Structured interviews with both modern and traditional health practitioners

Gender considerations were central to the methodology, as the study sought to uncover differences in knowledge acquisition and transmission between men and women.

Key Findings

Traditional Knowledge is Pervasive

• Traditional knowledge about medicinal plants is deeply embedded in daily life and is considered a routine part of rural society.
• It is widely practiced and deeply rooted in the socio-cultural and economic fabric of the communities.
• Over 80 plants with medicinal value were documented, with most being wild or weedy species found near homes and farms.

Gender and Age Dynamics

• Middle-aged and older individuals (both men and women) possess the most extensive traditional health knowledge.
• Men tend to have knowledge of wild-harvested plants, while women are more familiar with weedy and semi-domesticated plants used in the home.
• "Learning by doing" is the most common method of acquiring knowledge, with a higher proportion of men citing this as their primary source.

Role of Rural Health Practitioners

• Professional traditional health practitioners are not central to the health care system in the study area.
• Most ailments are treated at the household level, with few individuals seeking regular professional help.
• When they do consult professionals, it is often for specialized knowledge on limited health issues.

Challenges and Limitations

• Malaria, a major health issue, is not addressed by traditional plant remedies, indicating a lack of understanding of its causes.
• Poor sanitation is a major challenge in rural areas, as many diseases are linked to unsanitary conditions.
• Traditional practices such as uvula removal, tonsillectomy, bloodletting, and female circumcision remain widespread and raise ethical concerns.

Reflections on Traditional Knowledge

• The study highlights the importance of traditional knowledge in health development and natural resource management.
• It underscores the need for community-based health education to address gaps in understanding and to improve the effectiveness of traditional practices.
• There is a call for more research on the local context of traditional knowledge, rather than focusing solely on global debates about intellectual property and resource rights.

Conclusion

The research emphasizes that traditional health knowledge is not exclusive to professional practitioners, but is widely practiced by the general population. It also stresses the importance of addressing the challenges and threats to traditional knowledge systems in order to strengthen and improve them for the benefit of resource-constrained communities. The study is expected to contribute to a better understanding of the actual and potential roles of traditional knowledge in health development.

References

• Abebe, D. and E. Hagos (1991). Plants as a primary source of drugs in traditional health practices of Ethiopia, in Plant Genetic Resources of Ethiopia, Cambridge University Press.
• Abebe, D. and A. Ayehu (1993). Medicinal Plants and Enigmatic Health Practices in Northern Ethiopia, World Health Organization, Ethiopian Ministry of Health, and UNDP.
• Bannerman, R.H. (1983). Traditional Medicine and Health Care Coverage, WHO.
• MOH (1985). Ministry of Health Primary Health Care Review, Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa.
• IBCR (1999). Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use of Medicinal Plants: Project Proposal, Institute of Biodiversity Conservation and Research, Addis Ababa.