Traditional Health Practitioners in Indonesia: Their Profile, Practice and Treatment Characteristics

Abstract

Background: The demand for traditional health care is rising. The study aims to investigate the profile, practice and treatment characteristics of traditional health practitioners who participated in the Indonesia Family Life Survey (IFLS-5) in 2015. Methods: A national community facility cross-sectional survey was carried out with a probability sample of 4,461 traditional health practitioners in Indonesia. Results: Traditional health practitioners were typically female, over 50 years old, had no or lower levels of education, worked only as a healer, saw 8 patients a week and consulted for 60 min per patient. The most common treatment types provided included massage for babies (71.4%), followed by massage (reflexive massage) (25.6%), herbal remedies (23.4%), and delivery (22.0%). Many claimed to cure or solve the problems of stomachache or diarrhea (67.7%), flu or headache (64.7%), pain during pregnancy (52.0%), rheumatism (36.4%), and insomnia, stress or nervousness (35.5%). In adjusted logistic regression analysis, younger age, being male, having completed grades 1-6, urban residence, more years of practice, lower average consultation time, using tools or equipment, providing herbal remedies, and charging service fees were associated with high patient throughput. Conclusions: Our analysis provides insights into the profile, practice and treatment characteristics of traditional health practitioners in Indonesia. Sociodemographic, practice and treatment characteristics are accountable for a high patient throughput.

The governance of traditional medicine and herbal remedies in the selected local markets of Western Kenya

“…5, Table 8). Few studies also reported women dominance in the traditional medicine industry [87,88]. However, unique scenarios occur where men become dominant in the traditional medicine market surveys due to religious and cultural reasons.…”

<p>Use of traditional medicines and traditional practitioners by children in Indonesia: findings from a national population survey in 2014&ndash;2015</p>

“…Consistent with a previous study in Germany,6 this study found that the use of the traditional practitioner decreased with age. One reason for this could be the large proportion of massages administered to babies and small children by traditional practitioners in Indonesia 7,24. However, the use of traditional medicines did not change with age in this study.…”

“…One of the most common types of treatment provided by traditional health practitioners in Indonesia was found to be massage for babies (71.4%) 7. In a small study of 91 children (6–18 years old) who were admitted to hospital in Indonesia, 39.6% had used Indonesian herbal medicine prior to admission 8.…”

The Governance of Traditional Medicine and Herbal Remedies in the Selected Local Markets of Western Kenya.

“…The traditional governance practices bars young women practitioners who are still nursing babies, actively breastfeeds or still undergo menstruation ( Figure 5, Table 7). Few studies also reported women dominance in the tradition medicine industry [88,89]. However, unique scenarios occur where men become dominant in the traditional medicine market surveys due to religious and cultural reasons.…”