An Ethnographic Study on Clergymen Concerning the Aetiology and Management of Mental Illness in South Western Nigeria

Background: The clergy plays an important role in the care of mentally ill people developing countries because predominant belief that supernatural factors are responsible for mental illness and spiritual healers sought by and/or their relatives treatment. This study aimed to assess clergymen’s beliefs about etiology treatment illnesses southwest Nigeria.
 Methods: was qualitative design ethnographic nature, conducted on one hundred forty-eight clergymen at Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso, Nigeria. A convenient sampling technique used Self-administered questionnaires obtain sociodemographic details. An In-depth/Semi-structured interview involving Focus group discussions (FGD) key informant interviews (KII) study. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. variables presented a frequency table.
 Results: involved respondents with male preponderance. From focus discussion interview, believed depends victim’s predispositions could as well result from attacks directly or indirectly through ancestral lineage, genetic factors, evil forces. Although most argued is caused solely can only be treated means like exorcism. However, majority holistic approach must involve spiritual, psychological medical.
 Conclusion: factor theological education shines definition, recognition, treatment, concept cure management community advocacy although within context cultural illness. With improved knowledge care, will able effectively work orthodox medical practitioners wholesome way effective referral system, ensuring compliance, rehabilitation banishing discrimination.