Cultural Practices and Health-Seeking Behaviours of the Mbororo Community in Mezam Division of North West Cameroon

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cultural practices on the health-seeking behaviours of the Mbororo community in Mezam Division of the Northwest Region of Cameroon. More specifically, the study explored the extent to which dependence on indigenous educational practices over formal education, and preference for traditional medicine and faith healers affect the health-seeking behaviours of the Mbororo community in Mezam Division. The study employed the survey research design with a mix of both quantitative and qualitative techniques. Quantitative data were collected through a questionnaire while a focus group discussion guide and a semi-structured interview guide were used to collect qualitative data from a sample of 539respondents. A total of 500 questionnaires were administered and 6 focus groups discussions were carried out and as well as interviews granted to 3 healthcare professionals. The simple random sampling technique was used to select the sample of the study. Data were analyzed with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 for Windows. Descriptive statistics such as simple percentages, mean scores and standard deviation, and inferential statistics such as the Pearson Correlation test were used to analyze quantitative data while qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis with the support of ATLAS.ti software version 8.0. The findings revealed that dependence on indigenous educational practices over formal education (r=0.621, df=98, p<0.05), and preference for traditional medicine and faith healers (r=0.810, df=98, p<0.05) have a positive correlation with the health-seeking behaviours of the Mbororo community. Based on the findings, recommendations were made on the need for the Mbororo community in Mezam Division and beyond to develop more tolerance for conventional or modern medicine and rush to modern hospitals when ill for appropriate screening, diagnosis and treatment of their diseases even as they continue to patronize traditional medicine based on their cultural beliefs. This would go a long way to improve the health and wellbeing of the Mbororo community in Mezam and beyond. Suggestions for further studies were also made. Keywords:- C