A Conceptual Clarification of Stroke from Neurolinguistic Context and Cultural Beliefs

Abstract

This paper examines the notion of stroke- a form of disease due to neurological problems associated with different parts of the brain. The paper is an attempt to give a conceptual clarification of how the discourse of disease such as a stroke is produced, distributed and consumed within the orthodox medical tradition and cultural context allowing us to excavate different perceptions, reactions and responses about a disease that was hitherto associated with spirits and witches especially in this part of Nigeria. The paper utilizes both scientific and non-scientific approaches to disease to clarify that conception and conceptualization of stroke as disease may or may not have any significant consequences on the lives of our society since any form of disease may be subjected to any interpretation depending the people's background knowledge, experience and the level of education. This draws attention to the fact that despite its scientific explanations there are other views that exist subjecting the interpretation of the disease to a spiritual explication. A result of pilot study reveals the influence of such interpretations in the world of disease where ordinary folks resist medical intervention for the treatment of stroke thus signaling how cultural interpretations of disease demote or promote health related concerns in the northern part of Nigeria.