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Introduction
Survey on Traditional Medicine, Mawlam
KAP Survey on Traditional Medicine in Mawlam Village, Meghalaya
Department of Allied Health
Martin Luther Christian University
Traditional medicine refers to health practices, approaches, knowledge and beliefs
incorporating plant, animal and mineral based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual
techniques and exercises, applied singularly or in combination to treat, diagnose and
prevent illnesses or maintain well-being.
Countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America use traditional medicine (TM) to help meet
some of their primary health care needs. In Africa, up to 80% of the population uses
traditional medicine for primary health care. In industralized countries, adaptations of
traditional medicine are termed “Complementary“ or “Alternative” (CAM). TM has
maintained its popularity in all regions of the developing world and its use is rapidly
spreading in industrialized countries.
Over one-third of the population in developing countries lack access to essential
medicines. The provision of safe and effective TM/CAM therapies could become a
critical tool to increase access to health care. While China, the Democratic People’s
Republic of Korea, the Republic of Korea and Vietnam have fully integrated traditional
medicine into their health care systems, many countries are yet to collect and integrate
standardized evidence on this type of health care.
All systems of medicine in India can be classified into two streams:
a. Classical stream: This comprises of the codified and organized medicinal wisdom
with sophisticated theoretical foundations and philosophical explanations.
Systems like Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Amchi and Tibetan, etc. are examples.
b. Folk stream: Comprising mostly the oral traditions practiced by the rural villages.
The carriers of these traditions are millions of housewives, thousands of
traditional birth attendants, bone setters, village practitioners skilled in
accupressure, eye treatments, treatment of snake bites and the traditional village
physicians/herbal healers and the tribal physicians. This stream of inherited
traditions are together known as Local Health Traditions (LHT). LHT represent an
autonomous community supported health system which efficiently and effectively
manage the primary health care of the Indian rural mass. LHT is still alive and
runs parallel to the state supported modern health care system; but its full
potential is still not fully utilized and also that the great service it is rendering to
the rural people go largely unnoticed because of the dominant western medicine.
Khasi traditional medicine is an example of the folk stream. Its use goes back to the
origins of the people and it is widely practiced in the rural and urban areas. While the
methods have not been codified, the oral tradition is strong and widespread. Recently a
few texts written by traditional healers have appeared in Khasi. Surveys of medicinal

plants and some laboratory investigations have been conducted in various academic
institutions in the state.
Aim of the study
The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of
the people of Mawlam village which is located in Pynursla Block of the East Khasi Hills
District of Meghalaya. The village has a population of approximately 900, with
approximately 200 households.
Methods
A KAP questionnaire was designed, translated into Khasi and pre-tested as a
biostatistics class project of the department of allied health of Martin Luther Christian
University. 80 households were randomly selected and teams of two students each
administered the questionnaire to an adult in the household. The survey was conducted
on March 8, 2007.
Results
In 23 of the 80 questionnaires filled out, many questions were unanswered so 57 were
analysed. The following results were obtained:
A. Demographic profile of respondents:
Sex of respondents: F 49 M 8
Age of respondents: Range 13-80 years
Mean 36 years
SD
16 years
Education: No education 35
Class 1-3 13
Class 4-7 9
Occupation: Farmer 24
Labourer 14
Broom making 10
Other 13
B. Responses to questions
1. Do you use traditional remedies at home
Yes 17
No 36
Total 53

2. Can you give 2-3 examples
Yes 5 No 23
3. Is there a traditional healer(s) in the area
Yes 40
No 7
Don’t 6
know
Total 53
4. Can you give the names of one or two
24 gave names
5. Are they full-time or part-time
Fulltime
6
Parttime
25
Don’t 10
know
Total 41
6. Are traditional healers popular
Yes 21
No 10
Don’t 10
know
Total 41
7. Is the use of traditional healers decreasing
Yes 18
No 9
Don’t 13
know
Total 40

8. Can you name some medicinal plants
Yes 8
No 10
Don’t 20
know
Total 38
9. Do the healers use medicinal plants
Yes 23
No 2
Don’t 12
know
Total 37
10. Do the healers use non-herbal treatments
Yes 11
No 11
Don’t 15
know
Total 37
Can you give 1-2 examples of non-herbal treatments
Yes 1 Animal fat
11. Traditional medicine treatments are affordable
Yes 33
No 5
Don’t 6
know
Total 44
12. Traditional medicine is good
Yes 32
No 3
Don’t 15
know
Total 50
13. Traditional medicines are better than allopathic medicines
Yes 10
No 19
Don’t 24
know
Total 53

14. Traditional medicines are cheaper than allopathic medicines
Yes 43
No 3
Don’t 7
know
Total 53
15. Traditional healers should be recognized by the government
Yes 8
No 8
Don’t 29
know
Total 45
16. How many times in the last year has a family member consulted a traditional
healer
1-4 times 13 5+ 2 Many 8 DK 7
17. Members of the family for which traditional medicine was taken.
Children 26
Adults/elders 13
Pregnant 4
18. What formulations of traditional medicine were taken
Powder 5
Liquid 27
Ointment 14
19. How much money was spent on traditional healers last year
Up to Rs 100 11
Rs 100-500 9
Above Rs 500 0
Not much 2
DK 3

20. How many times in the last year has a family member consulted an allopathic
doctor
Up to 10 visits 18
More than 10 1
Many times 13
Sometimes 1
21. For which family members were allopathic treatments taken
Children 28
Adults/elders 20
Pregnant 12
22. For what type of illnesses do family members go to an allopathic doctor
Minor illnesses 9
Major illnesses 18
Check-up 2
All/other 7
Failure of TM 2
23. How much money was spent on allopathic treatments in the last one year
Up to Rs 100 1
Rs 100-999 11
Rs 1000+ 6
Rs 3000+ 8
DK 4
More than TM 1
Lots 1
24. Types of illnesses for which TM was sought
Eye problems 3
Flu 3
Chest pain 1
Dysentery 1
Skin 1
Fever 1
Constipation 1
Kidney 1
Mild stroke 1
Child diarrhea 1
Gastric
1
Whoop cough 1
25. Average expenditure on traditional and allopathic medicine in the last one year.
Traditional medicine Rs 160
Allopathic medicine Rs 2100

Discussion
The majority of the respondents were women, indicating perhaps that the menfolk were
at work, as the survey was conducted during the day. The education level of the
respondents could provide an indication of the educational status of the women in the
village. Most of the households appear to have occupations that are unskilled or semiskilled.
A majority of the respondents are familiar with traditional medicine, could name a local
traditional healer and had some knowledge of their type of practice and their use of
medicinal plants. Many households had consulted and used the services of traditional
healers, occasionally or frequently during the previous one year, mainly for minor
illnesses, especially for children.
Most of the respondents felt that traditional medicine is good and economical. Most of
the respondents also used allopathic medicine services, especially for major illnesses for
all members of the family. The expenditure on allopathic medicine was considerable
higher than for traditional medicine.
Conclusions and recommendations
Traditional medicine is respected and widely used in the rural areas of Meghalaya.
Allopathic services are also used but may not be convenient to access and is also
expensive. Traditional medicine should be encouraged, especially in rural areas as it
contributes substantially to primary health care. The government should consider
integrating traditional medicine into the formal health system of the state. Two
cautionary provisions are recommended. Firstly, the conservation of animals and plants
should be kept in mind in the preparation of folk medicinal preparations. Secondly, there
should be a method of evaluating the knowledge and expertise of the folk healers.
References
www.who.org
www.indianmedicine.nic.in
Acknowledgements
The survey and analysis was conducted by the following allied health students:
Eddie O. Lyngdoh
Archieson Lyngdoh
Alleysha Syiemlieh
Balajied Iawphniaw
Grace Cia Bell Sna
Banshanhi I. Nongkhlaw
Nengneilhing Hangshing
Dakaruhipaya War
Deepa Lamin Khonglah
Tifully Sohkhlet
Bahunlang Dhar
Lalonging M. Lyngdoh
Persara Kharjana
Baiadapdor Diengdoh
Frieda M. Umlong
Khonzani A. Nguillie
Melbourne Marbaniang
James Maitphang Suchen
Fearless Ryngksai
Lurstep Phyrnai Mawlong

Pynhunlin Lyngdoh
Pynshailang Mukhim
Rymphanglin Jyrwa
Biak Lura Kaipeng
Hopingstar Shylla
Madelson Slong
Evawanda N. C. Syiem
George Glarius Marbaniang
Dolly Marak
Baleisha Kurbah
Wanbianghimo T. Nongrum
Mayreen Ryngksai
Ritika C. Kharkongor
Balasara H. Jyrwa
Iaisankyrhai Nongkynrih
Mar Leki Pohlong
Lapyntngenlin L. Nonglait
Rilangmiki Dkhar
Glorisha Lyngdoh
Nivan Yoo War
Ibalabynta Syiem
Silver Bell Shylla
Banshembha Kharumnuid
Samborlang Wankhar
Neil Robert Wahlang
Dashisha Paliar
Rudalangki Shylla
Moffida Patweth
Richmond Suna
Carefulness Tiewsoh
Isabel Kurkalang
Imondaris Nongrem

The teacher facilitators: R Jennifer War, Bonnie M Nicol, Wadamika Lyngdoh
The instructor for the course: Glenn C Kharkongor