Placebo An Essential Ingredient in Counseling-Education for Daimonomageia (Witchcrafts): A Case Study of Diverse Health Conditions in the Amuzi Community

Abstract

Witchcraft has recognized the potency and availability of force to influence the mind and cause misfortunes. Our research aims at resolving health issues attributable to witchcraft. The 148 people who testified of their ill-health were caused by witchcraft attack participated. We assess their social-cultural beliefs and medical conditions to ascertain their health claims. We grouped them into two- groups-A (absence of identifiable ill-health) and group B (the presence of identifiable ill-health). The group-B was according to identifiable ill-health via Group B1 (Diabetes), B2 (Stroke), B3 (Heart disease), B4 Kidney disease), B5 (Body pains), B6 (Liver disease), B7 (Childlessness), and B8 (Insanity). Each person was given individualized counseling and told to list their problems and the name of the suspects who inflicted them. Laboratory screening on them ascertained their health conditions. The names of the purported entities causing the ill-health were written down and followed by psychological counseling to convince them that burning the paper with their names written on it will disconnect their power over them. The underlying ill-health of each participant received proper diagnosed and treatment. The feeling of a problem solved dispelled the fear affecting them. Illnesses were treated, following proper diagnosis through biochemical indices. The results were in percentage recovery. From the result, 60% in group-A recovered. The recovered group-B were: B1 (70%) B2, (20%), B3 (65%), B4 (83%), B5 (73%), B6 (40%), B7 (67%) and B8 (40%). Further analyses revealed the disease comorbid. Biodata's information revealed their proclivity to witchcraft. The findings showcased the placebo effect.