The consultation of traditional healers by Malay patients

Sixty four percent (104 patients) of Malay patients attending the Psychiatric Clinic for the first time were interviewed. A similar number from the general Out-patients Department (O.P.D.) randomly chosen, served as the control group. Seventy six (73.1%) psychiatric patients had consulted a bomoh prior to their visit to the clinic as compared to 26 (25%) O.P.D. patients. The number of bomohs consulted was significantly higher among the psychiatric patients than the O.P.D. patients. The strength of social support, the availability of a bomoh and the belief of the patients, friends and/or relatives in the bomoh have been suggested as the main factors that influenced the Malay patients in seeking bomoh treatment. The belief that mental illness is due to supernatural causes is firmly held by bomohs who reinforce this notion in those who seek their advice. The importance of understanding the patient's cultural background in treating psychiatric patients is highlighted.