Voluntary participation in biomedical research may be hindered by ritualist activities in Yoruba land

Abstract

Background/Objective: Promotion of health care delivery is largely sustained on continuous clinical and biomedical researches; performance of which depends on voluntariness of participants; in tune with ethical provisions. Volunteering toparticipate in researches involving blood or body wastes collection may be difficult in a society where stakeholders have repeated reports of usage of body fluids for rituals. This review was done to highlight cultural believes and practices that maymake potential participants refuse to consent to researches involving collection of body fluids in southwest Nigeria with aview to recommend a way forward. Methods/Design: Review of literature and adaptation of findings to linking attitudes,beliefs and cultural practices to the concept of ethical biomedical research in the modern world. Result: Cultural beliefs affect decision making in Yoruba settings; participation in biomedical researches inclusive. Conclusion: Culture rain supreme among Yorubas, till date. Researchers should create awareness on relevance of biomedical researches in sustaining quality healthcare services and engage gate keepers before approaching potential participants in Yoruba communities.