The learning environment at the Faculty of Health is superb, the supervisors and staff are friendly...
Key research areas/interests: Traditional complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM) use, maternal and child health, Pharmacy education and practice, Health service research
‘Traditional complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM) use in Sierra Leone in the context of the free health care initiative’
My research investigates how TCAM interfaces, interacts or affects maternal and child health including Ebola survivors in Sierra Leone. Since 2010, a free health care initiative was implemented in Sierra Leone that targets pregnant women, lactating mothers, children under five years old, and more recently, Ebola survivors. The ultimate goal of this initiative was to remove the financial burden that is thought to have attracted women and children to access alternative medical care during pregnancy childbirth and postpartum care – a health seeking behavior believed to have contributed to the abysmally high maternal and infant morbidity and mortality in Sierra Leone. My research will, therefore, explore TCAM use during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care as well as among Ebola survivors, and to see to what extent the free health care initiative has influenced their utilisation of TCAM.
Why did you decide to embark on your research degree at the Faculty of Health at UTS?
My decision to begin my research degree was pretty easy. Although I’m a pharmacist, my interest in CAM started in my undergraduate days. I had a keen interest in complementary medicine as I was awarded the Dean Award for the best student in pharmacognosy- the subject looks at natural product medicine, chemistry and pharmacology. My master’s degree was on pharmacology of natural products in China. My experience in China further opened my horizon on the role of TCAM in public health which is often ignored at policy and service delivery levels, especially in Africa and Sierra Leone in particular. With a keen interest in public health and health service research, I decided that after my masters I wanted to do a PhD that has both CAM and public health components. Searching online I came across researchers at UTS that are doing just that. I checked their website and realized that they do offer a PhD program that combines these two areas of health under the Australia Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine (ARCCIM). There and then I made my decision.
What contribution to knowledge are you planning to make with your research project?
Findings from this research will inform maternal health professionals and policy makers about TCAM use during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care as well as among Ebola survivors. It will include the prevalence of use, pattern use, socio-demographic factors that influence use, health seeking behavior, women’s attitude and beliefs as well as the perception of conventional and traditional medicine providers regarding its use during pregnancy.
Who will benefit from your research? How?
Maternal child health professionals and decision makers, policy makers, health and social workers involve in the care of Ebola survivors. A better understanding of these issues will help maternal health professionals and policy makers including social workers to make informed decisions that maximize the health of mothers and their babies as well as Ebola survivors.
How did you go about selecting your supervisor?
I read my supervisor’s profile on research gate which gives a detailed description of his research output. I was very much impressed with the fact he is a CAM practitioner, a public health specialist and his areas of research are in line with what I wanted to do for my PhD. I later contacted him through the same website in which I expressed my intention of doing a PhD at UTS. I also asked whether he can be my supervisor. He requested my CV, which I sent it to him and after a while, he agreed, and we took it from there.
What has been the most valuable part of your research student experience at the Faculty of Health at UTS?
My experience so far has been awesome. The learning environment is superb for someone coming from a third world country. Supervisors and Staff are friendly and always ready to help out.
What advice would you give to future research students thinking about starting a higher degree in research at the Faculty of Health?
You need to be convinced that you want to do it, and be highly passionate focused and interested in the topic of your PhD. That’s what will drive you forward even when things get tough along the way.