Abstract:
This study examined what influences the rise of violations of ethical principles in
traditional and alternative medicine in Kigamboni. The objective was to seek to know
why ethical violations are on the rise in TAM practice. It involved 120 respondents, of
whom, six were politicians, ten were healthcare professionals, ten were TAM
practitioners, and four were policy makers (health officers). The remaining 90 were
individuals from the community. The study combined qualitative and quantitative data
and methodologies.
On the practice of TAM, most of the respondents acknowledged there was a dramatic
increase in the use of traditional and alternative medicine and the practice was gaining a
widespread popularity in Kigamboni area. On the extent to which ethics were violated
in TAM practice, the study showed that there were violations of ethical principles in the
practice of TAM. These violations were influenced by the fact that majority of the
people including politicians, health professionals, health officers and TAM practitioners
were having insufficient knowledge of ethics. The perceptions of the users was also
confirmed to be strong enough to allow TAM practitioners to think that they were
acting correctly. Positive attitudes of the people and physicians towards TAM as well
influenced TAM practitioners to be acting without bothering about violations.
Since the practice of TAM was gaining public support day after day, TAM practitioners
thought they could do anything without bothering about regulations to meet the needs
of the people. Moreover, lack of awareness of the traditional and alternative medicine
legislations, the fact that majority of TAM practitioners were not registered, poor
supervision of ethics, unregulated use of social media and lack of sufficient knowledge
about TAM therapies increased the risks of ethical violations.
The findings imply that although the TAM sector was legislated, the government ought
to create strategies intended to guarantee compliance with the codes and other
regulations. It should also establish mechanisms to ensure quick discovery of
noncompliance. The government should as well create mechanisms to ensure the
implementation of corrective measures is done in a right time, and to guarantee
adequate training of the practitioners to avoid violations
