Culture and help-seeking behaviour in the rural communities of Limpopo, South Africa: unearthing beliefs of mental health care users and caregivers

Abstract

The study employed a qualitative approach to explore the cultural beliefs of mental health care users (MHCUs) and caregivers regarding help-seeking behaviour in the rural communities of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Forty participants were interviewed, comprising 30 MHCUs and 10 caregivers. Mental illness was ascribed to witchcraft (uvuloyi) and help was mostly sought from traditional and religious healers as the first steps on the path of help-seeking, whereas Western forms of care were usually considered as a last resort. The factors found to influence help-seeking behaviour amongst the participants included lack of knowledge regarding mental illness; traditional beliefs; stigma and discrimination; and the side effects of the antipsychotic medication. The study suggests the importance of psychoeducation for caregivers and the community regarding mental illness and cultural competence in serving communities with cultural beliefs about mental illness. Media platforms should be utilised to raise public awareness. The study also suggests collaboration between different stakeholders working with MHCUs.

Factors Influencing Formal Mental Treatment - Seeking Behaviour among Caretakers of Mentally Ill Patients in Zanzibar

“…Similar results from a study conducted in Tanzania 12 reported that majority of the respondent reported low barriers and had a positive belief about treatment. The current results differ greatly from what was found by a previous study conducted in Zanzibar 9 which reported that therapeutic could not bring any changes to patient when they failed to see the changes immediately, and thus they were likely to seek alternative treatment, especially from a traditional healer, this finding shows that poor prognosis may lead to barrier on formal treatment. Moreover, the study was contrary to what was reported by Hendersonet al 13 who found that the most common barrier to formal treatment is a belief that mental illness would go away or would be solved on its own without treatment.…”

“…Despite being aware, majority of them reported having a history of seeking traditional treatments for their patients before seeking for formal mental treatment. A previous study done by Iseselo et al, 9 reported that attitude towards psychotropic medication is one of the challenges of formal mental health treatment seeking behaviour. A study conducted in Bangladesh reported that majority of the study respondents were not aware of formal mental health treatment.…”

“…The implementation of the policy has improved mental health services for over 10 years. 9 Most studies conducted within African communities revealed that mental illness is associated with supernatural causes, such as; curses, witchcraft, demons and God's will, and that the first point for seeking help is through traditional and religious healers. [10][11][12] Formal treatment is usually considered the last option.…”

Community-Based Mental Health Interventions in Africa: A Review and Its Implications for U.S. Healthcare Practices

“…Recent studies have explored how these practices are perceived and utilized in various African communities. Bila and Carbonatto (2022) conducted a qualitative study in the rural communities of Limpopo, South Africa, to explore the cultural beliefs of mental health care users and caregivers regarding help-seeking behavior. Their findings revealed that mental illness was often ascribed to witchcraft (uvuloyi), and help was primarily sought from traditional and religious healers.…”

“…This study highlights the deeprooted cultural beliefs and practices that influence mental health care-seeking behaviors in African communities. The authors suggest the importance of psychoeducation for caregivers and the community regarding mental illness and the need for cultural competence in serving communities with such beliefs (Bila & Carbonatto, 2022). Thipanyane et al (2022) investigated the perceptions of pregnant women on traditional health practices in a rural setting in South Africa.…”