Images of Health and Illness Behaviour Among The Eggon Of Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

The Eggon cultural belief system shapes and defines what constitute health and illness behaviour. These reflected the Eggon collective approach to health and well-being. Three research questions guided the study, with specific objectives which included the folowing, to: find out the perceived causes of illness; explain how belief system affects when to seek treatment, and discover what the Eggon people of Nasarawa State do when they are ill, with specific reference to culture and tradition. Relevant literatures were reviewed, while the theory of reasoned action and functionalist perspective provided the theoretical frame works for the analysis. The study used the phenomenological research design. The qualitative technique, with in-depth interview (IDI) as instrument for data collection was utilized; both primary and secondary data were used. Gate keepers, the elderly and community leaders where purposively selected to constitute a sample size of 65 interviewees. Sixty five (65) IDIs (5) per Local Government Area were conducted. Data were analyzed and findings revealed that Eggon people’s perception of causes of illness, when to seek treatment and what they do when they are ill are defined by their lived world, as a people’s action and world view is a product of their belief system and practices. The study recommends, among other areas that reform strategies and interventions should be introduced at Local, State and Federal Government levels to address aspects of culture that are detrimental to health and well- being.