The Nigerian Yoruba traditional birth attendants' intervention techniques during normal childbirth

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Periodical article

Title:	The Nigerian Yoruba traditional birth attendants' intervention techniques during normal childbirth
Authors:	Madu, Sylvester Ntomochukwu Adejumo, Oluyinka
Year:	1991
Periodical:	African Notes: Bulletin of the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan
Volume:	15
Issue:	1-2
Pages:	119-126
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Nigeria
Subjects:	Yoruba folk medicine midwives
Abstract:	Five traditional Yoruba birth attendants, all male, were observed during normal childbirths and their intervention techniques and behaviour recorded. It was found that the traditional healers usually made use of both incantations and oral administration of red palm oil. It was concluded that the incantations probably serve as a form of indirect hypnosis, while the red palm oil could have a placebo effect. It is felt that systematic observation of traditional healers' intervention processes may eventually lead to the identification of areas where cooperation could be encouraged between traditional healers and orthodox health practitioners for more effective health care delivery in Nigeria. Bibliogr., sum.