Lawal Musediq  Olufemi, Lawal Monsurat  Bolaji, Adeyinka Tajudeen  Yusuff, 
    Medical Context in the Tourists Patronage of Osun Osogbo Grove, Nigeria,
    Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences,
    Volume 10,Issue 3,
    2013,
    Pages 139-147,
    ISSN 1683-8831,
    pjssci.2013.139.147,
    (https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=pjssci.2013.139.147)
    Abstract: Osun Osogbo cultural festival remains one of the most popular 
  annual events in Nigeria. Lots have been said about the grove where this event 
  takes place annually and its medical importance. However, dearth of information 
  on medical context of tourists’ 
  patronage of the grove makes this study appropriate. The study took place in 
  Osogbo the hub of the festival and data was collected through questionnaire 
  and interview guide among 105 respondents. This was complemented with observation 
  of events within the grove. The results showed that people were aware of the 
  grove and the festival. Visitation to the grove by the respondents outside the 
  festival period was once in a while (54%) while only 25% visited the place during 
  Osun traditional weekly programme. Medical factor ranked highest (58%) among 
  the reasons for the patronage of the grove; 32% of the respondents specifically 
  went to the grove to find solution to their fertility problem. Healing process 
  within the grove was rated excellent (45%), very reassuring (24%) and relatively 
  cheaper (18%) compared to any other healing sources. Accessibility (22%), affordability 
  (19%) and closeness to respondents’ 
  place of residence (32%) are some of the factors reported to have influenced 
  patronage of the grove. Recommendations were offered in line with the common 
  problems identified as confronting tourist’s 
  patronage of the Osun Osogbo annual festival celebration.
    Keywords: Medical context;tourists patronage;Osun Osogbo;grove;Nigeria