Indigenous Healing Practices155-162 One of the most important areas of African culture in which the significant presence of traditional beliefs can be seen is through sickness and healing. In many traditional cultures, illness is thought to be caused by psychological conflicts or disturbed social relations that create a disequilibrium expressed in the form of physical or mental problems. In Malawi, traditional healing has been practised for centuries even before colonialisation. It is said that about 80 per cent of the population utilise traditional healers and medicine for their health needs. This paper sets out several of the issues and controversies that surround traditional healing and medicine in Malawi. An overview of the traditional Malawian theory of illness, the diversity of healing practices for somatic and psychosocial disorders, the socio-cultural context of healing and cultural interpretations of disease and intervention are provided. The problem of efficacy and scientific validation of traditional medicine is discussed.
Health-seeking practices in Malawi are not well understood and it is not clear where people go for help to manage AIDS symptoms and to receive treatment for AIDS- defining illness. This qualitative study examines the health-seeking practices of families affected by AIDS in rural Malawi. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with family caregivers (N=26) and patients with AIDS symptoms (N=20). Health seeking progressed in three stages: traditional care and treatment by family were used first, followed by remedies from traditional healers. When traditional methods fail and symptoms continue modern treatments from hospitals or clinics were used as a last alternative. We discuss the cultural context of health seeking for HIV/AIDS in Malawi and suggest ways in which traditional practices can be integrated into interventions to improve the quality of care and treatment for people living with AIDS.
Background Very few adolescents in Malawi seek antenatal care on time during pregnancy. The Kroeger model (1993) guided the investigation of factors that hinder adolescents from seeking healthcare advice during pregnancy. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted at three health centers in rural Blantyre involving a convenience sample of 240 respondents. Data were analysed using SPSS version 16.0. Results Individual factors such as low level of education, inability to make decisions with regards to care, inadequate knowledge, and psychological factors such as shyness, fear, stigma and health service factors such as long distance to the facility, a lack of adolescent friendly services, and inaccessible roads were found to be barriers to seeking healthcare. Conclusion Empowering communities and adolescents, establishing and making existing health facilities more adolescent friendly may help adolescents seek healthcare advice in suitable time during pregnancy.
Background/Objectives: Malawi is one of the countries in the world with the worst maternal mortality rate. In view of this, women are encouraged to deliver at a health facility assisted by a skilled birth attendant. However, this initiative can only be effective when health care workers manifest a professional demeanor which conveys care and compassion to patients/clients. The objective of the study was to foster the development of compassionate care among nurses/midwives working in selected maternal and child health care clinical settings. Methods: The study employed an action research (AR) approach. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with nurse/midwives from the selected health facilities. Purposive sampling was utilized to obtain the sample of participants to the eight FGDs and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: The data collected from nurses/midwives clearly indicate that it is not possible to effectively render compassionate care under the present work conditions. The study reveals the following factors which hinder the delivery of compassionate care: severe nursing shortages, gross lack of essential supplies and equipment, negative attitudes of nurses/midwives and unsupportive leadership which demotivates nurses/midwives. Conclusion:The study reveals problems which hinder the delivery of compassionate care, and there is need to address these problems. This will enhance the effectiveness of hospital delivery by a skilled birth attendant as a safe motherhood initiative aimed at lowering the high maternal mortality rate.
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