Entangled pathways: navigating mental healthcare dynamics in Abeokuta

Area of Science:

• Medical Anthropology
• Global Mental Health
• Sociology of Health

Background:

• Mental healthcare in Abeokuta, Nigeria, involves diverse practices beyond hospitals.
• Traditional (Ibile) and faith-based (Aladura) systems play significant roles alongside biomedical care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine diverse mental healthcare forms in Abeokuta.
• To understand motivations for seeking care across different systems.
• To explore how engaging with multiple treatments impacts recovery.

Main Methods:

• Nine months of ethnographic fieldwork in biomedical, Ibile, and Aladura facilities.
• Qualitative data collection through interviews, observations, and discussions.
• Inclusion of diverse participants: providers, caregivers, and care recipients.

Main Results:

• A "multiple care" approach is integral, reflecting a holistic view of mental health.
• Biomedical hospitals alone are insufficient for complex patient needs.
• Patients intentionally seek multiple care options for psychological relief and hope.

Conclusions:

• Medical pluralism and syncretism are evident in Abeokuta's mental healthcare landscape.
• A holistic understanding requires integrating physical, social, and spiritual dimensions.
• No single care system fully addresses the complexities of mental healthcare in this context.