1. Utilization of Shamanistic Services for General Ailments in the Eastern Region of Nepal

2. Presenting Author: Sailesh Bhattarai
School of Public Health and Community Medicine (SPH & CM)
BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS),
NEPAL
Authors: Prof. Nilambar Jha (SPH & CM)
Prof. Paras K Pokharel (SPH & CM)

3. .Westbusry, V, Traditional Healers: The Shamans of Nepal; Pragate
A shaman, usually called a Dhami/Jhankri in Nepal, can be a lively mediator between the spirit world and everyday life.
Healings, fortune telling and consultations with the spirit world, ceremonies for the dead and the newly born, spells to remove curses, to change a run of bad luck or to bring love are all part of his/her performances to summon deities or expel spirits.
.Westbusry, V, Traditional Healers: The Shamans of Nepal; Pragate

4. Objectives
This study was designed to explore the practices of shamanistic services for general illness in the population and,
To trace the plausible factors associated with practicing Shamanism for the treatment of general illness.

5. Methodology Study Design: Cross-Sectional
This study is a part of large study done on “Socio-cultural determinants of health in Nepal. A study from Eastern Nepal”
Study Design: Cross-Sectional
Study Area: Six Districts of Eastern Nepal
Study Population: Reproductive age female(Key member in the family) having at least one child less than 5 yrs.

6. Sample Size: 2000
Interview method with pre-tested questionnaire was used in this study.
Trained enumerators by Faculty of School of Public Health and Community Medicine were employed to collect the data from selected houses.

7. Results

8. Table 1. Socio-demography Characteristics of the Respondents
Frequency (N=1985)
Percentage
Religion
Hindu
Muslim
Kirat
Buddhist
Christian
1828 49 39 35 34
92.1
2.5
2.0
1.8
1.7
 Ethnicity
Terai Major caste
Tharu
Terai Dalit
Chhetry
Rai/Limbu
Brahmin
Janajati
Hill Dalit
Rajbansi/Dimal
508
306
280
237
182
153
142 89 88
25.5
15.4
14.1
11.9
9.2
7.7
7.1
4.5
4.4

9. Characteristics
Frequency (N=1985)
Percentage
Occupation of the respondent
Agriculture
Housewife
Unskilled labour
Service
Skilled/semi-skilled
Business
Professionals
823
423
381
135
107
100 16
41.5
21.3
19.2
6.8
5.4
5.0
0.8
 Literacy status of respondents
Illiterate
Primary (up to fifth grade)
Secondary (up to tenth grade)
Higher secondary (up to twelfth grade)
Bachelors and above
817
563
155 27
41.2
28.4
7.8
1.4
Poverty line
<$1.25(below poverty line)
>=1.25(above poverty line)
1855
122
93.5
6.5

15. Shamanistic Practices In Eastern Nepal

19. Fig 9. Want to Utilize the Service of Faith Healers in future? (N=1985)

28. Fig 18. Health Service Utilization versus Reason for Utilizing the Service N=1918 (P value <0.05)

30. Conclusion
Sizeable population still visit shamans for almost every kind of diseases.
Almost half of the population wanted to visit shamans in future for service
Faith Healer was common among
Brahmin/chhetri (higher hierarchy caste group),
Buddhist religion,
service occupation among women,
having health center
Nearest as pharmacy,
more than half an hour distance, and
Having bad behaviour of staffs.

31. Shamanistic services were common where the service was utilized due to faith and tradition
The disease defined and attributed to god and spirits were treated effectively than disease defined by modern medicine or having somatic origin.

32. Thank You