Traditional Medicine in Central Africa

Sara Lowes and Eduardo Montero

AEA Papers and Proceedings, 2019, vol. 109, 516-20

Abstract: In many settings, traditional medicine is a popular, accessible, and affordable alternative to modern medicine. Understanding the determinants of the use of traditional medicine is important because it is widespread and because of the growing evidence of mistrust in modern medicine. We examine the historical and present day correlates of knowledge and use of traditional medicine in Central Africa. We find that type of colonial contact matters for present day traditional medicine use and that belief in witchcraft predicts more use of traditional medicine. We suggest that traditional healers may play an important role in rebuilding trust in modern medicine.

JEL-codes: I11 I15 O15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
Note: DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20191095
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