The Unani traditional medical system in India: a case study in health behaviour
Izhar, N.
Geographia Medica 19: 163-185
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-807X PMID: 2767434 Document Number: 371117
A case study, based on the Unani Clinic in Aligarh Town, examines the practice of Unani traditional medicine in India. Objectives of the study were to discern the distribution pattern of traditional medical systems in India, highlighting the Unani Medical System, and to gather data on the utilization pattern of a well established clinic such as Unani, and to observe how the behavior of patients shift according to their acceptance of a particular system of medicine. Interviewed were patients, practitioners of Unani medicine, and the paramedical staff. People of various age groups and different socioeconomic statuses were queried as to the utilization and effectiveness of the Unani medical facilities. The majority of patient were under modern allopathic treatment before accepting the Unani medicine. Duration of treatment under the modern system varied according to type of illness. The Unani medical system, surprisingly, is preferred by both illiterate, as well as educated people of India, including the rich and poor. An intensive investigation in different and varied regions on the effectiveness of Unani medicine as it relates to various illnesses and disease is needed. A final suggestion is to examine how allopathic medicine might be interrelated better with other medical systems.