The Influence of Demographic Variables of Traditional Health Practitioners on Documentation of Indigenous Knowledge

Abstract

Indigenous knowledge (IK) plays a crucial role in primary healthcare in many African communities. However, IK is gradually declining due to its predominantly oral transmission and a lack of interest from the younger generation. While various studies have examined IK, there is limited evidence on how demographic variables influence its documentation. This study investigated the relationship between demographic characteristics and the documentation of IK among traditional health practitioners (THPs) in Southwest Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was used to sample 362 THPs from a population of 3,850, applying the Yaro Yemane model. Data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation. Findings showed that the majority of respondents were male (73.2%), aged 51–60 (45.3%), married (97.8%), and had over 25 years of experience. Despite varying backgrounds, there was no significant correlation between gender, age, marital status, or other demographic variables and the documentation of IK. The study concludes that demographic factors do not significantly influence IK documentation among THPs, highlighting the need for more systemic interventions to preserve and document IK irrespective of demographic attributes