Journal of Alternative Medicine Research - Cephas Health Research Initiative Inc. https://cephashri.org Advancing Evidence. Building Healthier Communities Sat, 08 Nov 2025 06:04:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://cephashri.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/cropped-favicon-32x32.png Journal of Alternative Medicine Research - Cephas Health Research Initiative Inc. https://cephashri.org 32 32 Opinions of Nigerian religious leaders and seminarians on what causes cancer: A short report https://cephashri.org/publication/opinions-of-nigerian-religious-leaders-and-seminarians-on-what-causes-cancer-a-short-report/ Fri, 08 Nov 2019 05:57:05 +0000 https://cephashri.org/?post_type=publication&p=1723 Many cancer patients in Nigeria present very late at hospitals for treatment. Studies have shown that the delay is due to the belief that their cancer disease is of a spiritual cause. This study aims to explore the opinions of religious leaders and seminarians in Ibadan City, Oyo State, Nigeria, on the top five aetiology/risk factors of cancer. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done among 302 religious leaders and seminarians in Ibadan. Study tool was an anonymous questionnaire. Data collected was analysed using SPSS version 16 software. Results: The top five cancer aetiology/risk factors, as indicated by the respondents, were as follows: toxic drugs (58.9%); genetic factors (53.6%); radiation exposure (52%); poison (42.4%); poverty (34.8%). Conclusion: The opinion of the majority of the surveyed religious leaders and seminarians favoured biological, physical and chemical factors as the commonest cancer aetiology/risk factors, although the minority were of the opinion that cancer can also be caused by socioeconomic factors and supernatural forces.

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]]> Many cancer patients in Nigeria present very late at hospitals for treatment. Studies have shown that the delay is due to the belief that their cancer disease is of a spiritual cause. This study aims to explore the opinions of religious leaders and seminarians in Ibadan City, Oyo State, Nigeria, on the top five aetiology/risk factors of cancer. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done among 302 religious leaders and seminarians in Ibadan. Study tool was an anonymous questionnaire. Data collected was analysed using SPSS version 16 software. Results: The top five cancer aetiology/risk factors, as indicated by the respondents, were as follows: toxic drugs (58.9%); genetic factors (53.6%); radiation exposure (52%); poison (42.4%); poverty (34.8%). Conclusion: The opinion of the majority of the surveyed religious leaders and seminarians favoured biological, physical and chemical factors as the commonest cancer aetiology/risk factors, although the minority were of the opinion that cancer can also be caused by socioeconomic factors and supernatural forces.

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]]> Sakkiya treatment in northern Nigeria: any existing scientific literature? https://cephashri.org/publication/sakkiya-treatment-in-northern-nigeria-any-existing-scientific-literature/ Wed, 31 Oct 2018 00:22:18 +0000 https://cephashri.org/?post_type=publication&p=1148 Traditional medicine is a popular practice in Nigeria. One of the popular traditional “surgical” care of body swelling in northern Nigeria is Sakkiya. Sakkiya is a Hausa word which means “the act of puncturing a body swelling with a hot pointed metallic tip, for the purpose of achieving a cure”. Interestingly, author has seen quite a number of clinical cases associated with Sakkiya. This study aims to review the existing literature(s) on Sakkiya treatment, and to give a breakdown of the existing research works that had been done on this area so far. An online search of PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and PsycINFO, on all existing English literatures on Sakkiya till August 31, 2017, was done. No relevant literature was seen on this form of traditional treatment (i.e. Sakkiya). This finding suggests that Sakkiya practice is an overlooked area of healthcare in Nigeria.

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]]> Traditional medicine is a popular practice in Nigeria. One of the popular traditional “surgical” care of body swelling in northern Nigeria is Sakkiya. Sakkiya is a Hausa word which means “the act of puncturing a body swelling with a hot pointed metallic tip, for the purpose of achieving a cure”. Interestingly, author has seen quite a number of clinical cases associated with Sakkiya. This study aims to review the existing literature(s) on Sakkiya treatment, and to give a breakdown of the existing research works that had been done on this area so far. An online search of PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and PsycINFO, on all existing English literatures on Sakkiya till August 31, 2017, was done. No relevant literature was seen on this form of traditional treatment (i.e. Sakkiya). This finding suggests that Sakkiya practice is an overlooked area of healthcare in Nigeria.

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]]> The Sakkiya doctor and the Sakkiya clinic: Findings from a field work https://cephashri.org/publication/the-sakkiya-doctor-and-the-sakkiya-clinic-findings-from-a-field-work/ Wed, 31 Oct 2018 00:19:01 +0000 https://cephashri.org/?post_type=publication&p=1146 Sakkiya treatment is a form of traditional care in northern Nigeria. The description of the place, where, and how Sakkiya is done has yet to be unraveled. Objectives: To investigate where Sakkiya is done. To also interview who does Sakkiya and how the Sakkiya is done. Methods: This study was a qualitative field research work which was done in a village in Sokoto State, Nigeria. This study involved a face-to-face oral interview with the head of the blacksmiths in the village visited. Data was obtained on the biodata of the interviewee, his experience on Sakkiya treatments, and a description of the Sakkiya procedure. Photographs were also taken for proper illustration. The identity of the interviewee was anonymous and his participation was totally voluntary. Results: The blacksmiths are one of the Sakkiya care providers. The interviewee had done Sakkiya on over 1,500 body swellings, and no case of Sakkiya-associated death had been recorded in his entire practice...

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]]> Sakkiya treatment is a form of traditional care in northern Nigeria. The description of the place, where, and how Sakkiya is done has yet to be unraveled. Objectives: To investigate where Sakkiya is done. To also interview who does Sakkiya and how the Sakkiya is done. Methods: This study was a qualitative field research work which was done in a village in Sokoto State, Nigeria. This study involved a face-to-face oral interview with the head of the blacksmiths in the village visited. Data was obtained on the biodata of the interviewee, his experience on Sakkiya treatments, and a description of the Sakkiya procedure. Photographs were also taken for proper illustration. The identity of the interviewee was anonymous and his participation was totally voluntary. Results: The blacksmiths are one of the Sakkiya care providers. The interviewee had done Sakkiya on over 1,500 body swellings, and no case of Sakkiya-associated death had been recorded in his entire practice...

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]]> Cause for concern on the negative health implications of the traditional Sakkiya treatment: Evidence from a survey of clinicians domiciled in a northern Nigerian academic hospital https://cephashri.org/publication/cause-for-concern-on-the-negative-health-implications-of-the-traditional-sakkiya-treatment-evidence-from-a-survey-of-clinicians-domiciled-in-a-northern-nigerian-academic-hospital/ Wed, 31 Oct 2018 00:15:37 +0000 https://cephashri.org/?post_type=publication&p=1144 The traditional medicine men are one of the commonly patronized healthcare service providers in Nigeria. In the northern Nigeria, there is a popular traditional treatment for body swellings called Sakkiya in Hausa language. This treatment involves the use of a hot pointed metallic tip to puncture a body swelling. This study aims to explore the clinical experience of clinicians domiciled in the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, UDUTH, Sokoto, North-western Nigeria, on the Sakkiya cases they have seen in their practice. Methods: This study surveyed a cross-section of 120 nurses, dentists, medical doctors, and community health extension workers (CHEWs) in UDUTH, Sokoto, on their clinical experience on the cases of patients with history of Sakkiya treatment using an anonymous paper questionnaire. Data obtained was analysed using the SPSS version 16 software. Results: The majority (78.3%) of the respondents were within the age range of 26 to 40 years, 73.3% of them were males, 56.7% were CHEWs, and 34.2% of them had been working as clinicians for 6 to 10 years. Most (83.3%) of them had also seen at least one case of Sakkiya in their clinical practice.

The post Cause for concern on the negative health implications of the traditional Sakkiya treatment: Evidence from a survey of clinicians domiciled in a northern Nigerian academic hospital first appeared on Cephas Health Research Initiative Inc..

]]> The traditional medicine men are one of the commonly patronized healthcare service providers in Nigeria. In the northern Nigeria, there is a popular traditional treatment for body swellings called Sakkiya in Hausa language. This treatment involves the use of a hot pointed metallic tip to puncture a body swelling. This study aims to explore the clinical experience of clinicians domiciled in the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, UDUTH, Sokoto, North-western Nigeria, on the Sakkiya cases they have seen in their practice. Methods: This study surveyed a cross-section of 120 nurses, dentists, medical doctors, and community health extension workers (CHEWs) in UDUTH, Sokoto, on their clinical experience on the cases of patients with history of Sakkiya treatment using an anonymous paper questionnaire. Data obtained was analysed using the SPSS version 16 software. Results: The majority (78.3%) of the respondents were within the age range of 26 to 40 years, 73.3% of them were males, 56.7% were CHEWs, and 34.2% of them had been working as clinicians for 6 to 10 years. Most (83.3%) of them had also seen at least one case of Sakkiya in their clinical practice.

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]]> Sakkiya Research: A call for multidisciplinary collaborations https://cephashri.org/publication/sakkiya-research-a-call-for-multidisciplinary-collaborations/ Tue, 30 Oct 2018 23:52:09 +0000 https://cephashri.org/?post_type=publication&p=1138 Research, according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, can be defined as the investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws. Research is a scientific process, through it many discoveries had been made and many human problems had been solved. In fact, the importance of the roles scientific research in the sustenance of human existence cannot be overemphasized...
As a scientific researcher, with background
training in medical sciences, education, and political
science, I have experienced how hidden information
are unraveled to

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]]> Research, according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, can be defined as the investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws. Research is a scientific process, through it many discoveries had been made and many human problems had been solved. In fact, the importance of the roles scientific research in the sustenance of human existence cannot be overemphasized...
As a scientific researcher, with background
training in medical sciences, education, and political
science, I have experienced how hidden information
are unraveled to

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]]> Sakkiya and orthodox medicine in Nigeria: A compared narrative https://cephashri.org/publication/sakkiya-and-orthodox-medicine-in-nigeria-a-compared-narrative/ Tue, 30 Oct 2018 23:48:01 +0000 https://cephashri.org/?post_type=publication&p=1136 History forms the bedrock of everything. Everything has its own history. In fact, Nigeria has its own history. Interestingly, there exists comprehensive historical documentation on the evolution of Orthodox and traditional healthcare services in Nigeria. On the other hand, virtually no comprehensive literature had ever been written on the history of Sakkiya practice in northern Nigeria despite the old long age of this traditional practice in this region of Nigeria. This paper thereby gave a compared narrative on the pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial evolution of Orthodox medicine and traditional medicine (with focus on Sakkiya care in northern Nigeria) in Nigeria; this paper also provided evidence on the lack of historical evidence on the old traditional Sakkiya practice and thereafter urged the archaeologists, anthropologists, sociologists and historians of our present day to investigate into the historical evolution of Sakkiya practice in northern Nigeria.

The post Sakkiya and orthodox medicine in Nigeria: A compared narrative first appeared on Cephas Health Research Initiative Inc..

]]> History forms the bedrock of everything. Everything has its own history. In fact, Nigeria has its own history. Interestingly, there exists comprehensive historical documentation on the evolution of Orthodox and traditional healthcare services in Nigeria. On the other hand, virtually no comprehensive literature had ever been written on the history of Sakkiya practice in northern Nigeria despite the old long age of this traditional practice in this region of Nigeria. This paper thereby gave a compared narrative on the pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial evolution of Orthodox medicine and traditional medicine (with focus on Sakkiya care in northern Nigeria) in Nigeria; this paper also provided evidence on the lack of historical evidence on the old traditional Sakkiya practice and thereafter urged the archaeologists, anthropologists, sociologists and historians of our present day to investigate into the historical evolution of Sakkiya practice in northern Nigeria.

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]]> Sakkiya practice in the ‘north’: A gaze into the past, the present, and the future https://cephashri.org/publication/sakkiya-practice-in-the-north-a-gaze-into-the-past-the-present-and-the-future/ Tue, 30 Oct 2018 23:06:43 +0000 https://cephashri.org/?post_type=publication&p=1119 Since the time a clarion call was made on the need to research into the traditional Sakkiya practice in northwestern Nigeria no study had been conducted to review the existing research works that had been done thereafter. This study was conducted with the aim of reviewing the literatures written on Sakkiya practice so far. Methods: This study involved a literature review of all available online relevant literatures on Sakkiya practice up till June 30, 2018. Papers on Sakkiya practice were obtained from online research databases. Results: Only six relevant literatures were obtained for this study...

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]]> Since the time a clarion call was made on the need to research into the traditional Sakkiya practice in northwestern Nigeria no study had been conducted to review the existing research works that had been done thereafter. This study was conducted with the aim of reviewing the literatures written on Sakkiya practice so far. Methods: This study involved a literature review of all available online relevant literatures on Sakkiya practice up till June 30, 2018. Papers on Sakkiya practice were obtained from online research databases. Results: Only six relevant literatures were obtained for this study...

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]]> Sakkiya training and practice: A brief research report https://cephashri.org/publication/sakkiya-training-and-practice-a-brief-research-report/ Tue, 30 Oct 2018 23:02:39 +0000 https://cephashri.org/?post_type=publication&p=1117 Sakkiya care is a popular traditional practice in northern Nigeria; however this practice has been under-researched in the field complementary and alternative medicine. This study aims to provide a brief report on Sakkiya training and practice in a village in northern Nigeria. Methods: A focus group interview with nine blacksmiths with experience on Sakkiya care was undertaken at a village in Sokoto State, Nigeria. The demographic profiles of the interviewees were analyzed quantitatively while the transcripts were analyzed qualitatively. Results: The mean age of the interviewees was 36.7 years, and all of them were Hausas. Training on Sakkiya was reported to be a very old practice, and the trainer of a Sakkiya doctor is usually an experienced blacksmith who is closely related to the trainee. It was also observed that there exists hierarchy in Sakkiya practice, as the junior Sakkiya doctor should not treat people with Sakkiya when the senior Sakkiya doctor is on ground. Conclusion: This study has shed some light on Sakkiya training and practice. Authors recommend if more exploratory studies can be conducted on this interesting area, as such studies will provide more relevant information on Sakkiya practice in northern Nigeria.

The post Sakkiya training and practice: A brief research report first appeared on Cephas Health Research Initiative Inc..

]]> Sakkiya care is a popular traditional practice in northern Nigeria; however this practice has been under-researched in the field complementary and alternative medicine. This study aims to provide a brief report on Sakkiya training and practice in a village in northern Nigeria. Methods: A focus group interview with nine blacksmiths with experience on Sakkiya care was undertaken at a village in Sokoto State, Nigeria. The demographic profiles of the interviewees were analyzed quantitatively while the transcripts were analyzed qualitatively. Results: The mean age of the interviewees was 36.7 years, and all of them were Hausas. Training on Sakkiya was reported to be a very old practice, and the trainer of a Sakkiya doctor is usually an experienced blacksmith who is closely related to the trainee. It was also observed that there exists hierarchy in Sakkiya practice, as the junior Sakkiya doctor should not treat people with Sakkiya when the senior Sakkiya doctor is on ground. Conclusion: This study has shed some light on Sakkiya training and practice. Authors recommend if more exploratory studies can be conducted on this interesting area, as such studies will provide more relevant information on Sakkiya practice in northern Nigeria.

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