An Interrogation of Diarrhoea Concept among Yoruba Women in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper explores and simultaneously interrogates the emic perspective of childhood diarrhoea among Yoruba women living in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. The data was derived from in-depth interviews and focus group discussions conducted with women and other significant members of households who were health givers to children below five years of age. Two major concepts that are associated with childhood diarrhoea, owó ọmọ and ọwọ́́ iỳá, are analyzed within a phenomenological framework of African philosophy that challenges orthodox discourse of human health and life experience. The paper draws the attention of international health organizations collaborating with the Nigerian government in reducing child mortality associated with diarrhoea the inherent danger in ignoring folks’ beliefs and concepts. The paper concludes that it is only in recognition of cultural cosmologies that local people can be actively involved in designing improvement strategies and carrying out hygienic education sensitively.