Patients Consulting Traditional Health Practioners In The Context Of Hiv/Aids In Urban Areas In Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess patients consulting full-time traditional health practitioners (THPs) and the practice of THPs after they had been trained on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/ Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) prevention and care. The sample included 222 patients interviewed when exiting a THP's practice (n=17) in purposefully chosen two urban sites in KwaZulu-Natal. Results indicate that at post training evaluation the majority of the THPs were involved in HIV/STI management and most had low levels of HIV risk practices at the workplace. Major self-reported reasons for consulting the THP included a complex of supernatural or psychosocial problems, chronic conditions, acute conditions, generalized pain, HIV and other STIs. Overall, patients including HIV positive (n=18) patients had moderate knowledge of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). A number of HIV positive patients were using traditional medicine and ART concurrently, dropped out of ART because of side effects and were using traditional medicine for HIV.

Traditional health practitioners’ management of HIV/AIDS in rural South Africa in the era of widespread antiretroviral therapy

“…Referral of PLHIV from THPs has been well documented in the literature [28,44]. Disclosure of HIV status determined which traditional medicines could be prescribed or prepared, and which traditional rituals could be performed.…”

“…Furthermore, numerous studies have examined the implications of traditional medicines and practices related to HIV treatment and management [28–31]. The traditional healing system has been claimed to be illogical, lacking in both scientific validity and suitable policies for its products and practices [32,33].…”

“…A quantitative study conducted among patients consulting THPs in the context of HIV/AIDS found that PLHIV did so owing to several complex health situations [28]. These include THPs’ supportive role for encouraging safer sexual practices, HIV testing and treatment, and providing community-based HIV care [28].…”

“…A quantitative study conducted among patients consulting THPs in the context of HIV/AIDS found that PLHIV did so owing to several complex health situations [28]. These include THPs’ supportive role for encouraging safer sexual practices, HIV testing and treatment, and providing community-based HIV care [28]. In contrast, other studies have identified negative aspects of THP use in the context of HIV/AIDS, such as THPs lacking the skills and resources needed to manage HIV/AIDS [41,44,48–50].…”

Sick certificates issued by South African traditional health practitioners: Current legislation, challenges and the way forward

“…Up to 90% of people living with HIV and AIDS consult THPs before visiting allopathic medicine practitioners. 10,11 Reasons for consulting THPs range from chronic and acute conditions to supernatural (bad luck and magic poisoning) and psychosocial problems (depression, anxiety, and sexual dysfunction). 9 THPs are considered to be cultural custodians within the African society and influence the interpretation of illness and mode of behaviour through cultural interpretations.…”