An Index of Cancer Indigenous Knowledge Practices in Nansana Town Council

Abstract

The research project focused on creating an index of indigenous knowledge practices in Nansana town council. The project addressed four objectives namely; establishing the information needs of the cancer patients, examining the cancer indigenous knowledge practices, examining the factors that promote or hinder access and utilization of CIK in Nansana and creating an index for cancer indigenous knowledge practices in Nansana town council. The research was based on a case study design and carried out using qualitative research methods; interviews, observation, document analysis and photography. Data was collected from 80 respondents that were selected carefully from different homesteads and herbal clinics.

The project established that most of the people had information about the cancer indigenous knowledge practices but few of them had documented it and most of them did not want to disclose the information they had because of fear of losing their lives and the threats from the government and other non-government organizations that work with western medicines. The factors that hinder or promote and utilization of cancer indigenous knowledge practices were also discovered which include; lack of government support, lack of financial support, no respect and recognition and perception. An index was drawn and documented, solutions to the factors that hinder were also recommended by the researchers namely; creating courses about indigenous knowledge in high learning institutes and soliciting foreign aid. The final result of the project was an index of cancer indigenous knowledge practices in Nansana town council to help people be more informed about the practices.