Primary Health Care and the Peoples’ Perspective in Defining Health and Illness

In most traditional communities definitions of health and illness intertwine with local beliefs and customs, and part of social and cultural facts that constitute everyday reality for the people. The basic principles of primary health care advocate essential health care that is scientific, and practical provided within a social and cultural context, using appropriate technologies readily available, with active participation of the people. This requires redefinition of roles and reoreintation of health care professionals working in rural community. Despite adoption of PHC and numerous efforts to deliver services to rural , Nigerian health indicators are poor and worse in ruarl communities. National Population Commission (2009) reports huge disparities in pregnancy outcomes between urban and rural communities,f still births for urban was 72 and rural 156; early neonatal deaths 221 for urban and 649 for rural. Nearly fifty per cent 46.9 % of women in rural communities did not receive care from anyone, 73.1% had their babies at home, 69.9% did not have post natal check up. Primary health services are juxtaposed alongside local cultures, beliefs, and numerous traditional health practices and practitioners, and experiences of health and illness inextricably tied to the vast complexities of family, and social network. This paper advocates understanding and integrating the perspectives of rural communities in defining health and illness, assessing health needs, planning and implementing primary health care interventions.