The indigenous meaning of dysmenorrhea: using modified photovoice to document perspectives of traditional health practitioners (THPs) and indigenous knowledge holders (IKHs)

Abstract

Background: Globally, health understanding and beliefs vary across sub-cultural groups, depending on geographical location. Increasingly, various parts of the world recognize these perspectives to offer culturally sensitive healthcare services at primary level. Understanding the indigenous perspectives of dysmenorrhea meaning from the custodians of knowledge holders may add to the value of literature that may be used to advocate humanized culturally sensitive healthcare. This article aimed to explore and describe the perspectives regarding the meaning of indigenous dysmenorrhea among Batlokwa traditional health practitioners (THPs) and indigenous knowledge holders (IKHs). Methods: A qualitative, explorative study with a modified photovoice design, which included photographs, interviews and lekgotla discussion was employed to engage THPs and IKHs residing in Botlokwa Limpopo province, South Africa. Initially, a purposive sampling technique was used to select the participants, followed by snowball sampling. The participants themselves analyzed the photographs and described their meaning during individual interview using the acronym “PHOTO”. The researchers employed thematic analysis of interviews and Lekgotla discussion, in which themes were identified, formulated and analyzed from the codified data set. Results: In total, eight women participated in the photovoice study. The findings showed that indigenous understanding of dysmenorrhea stems from the African belief about health and illness with special emphasis on importance of holistic meaning. To the THPs and IKHs dysmenorrhea was a broad and integrated trend of a normal or abnormal process of illness that occurs periodically during menstruation. Conclusions: The THP’s and IKH’s indigenous meaning of dysmenorrhea reflects physical, mental, emotional, social, environmental, political and economic dimensions. Therefore, dysmenorrhea should be understood from a holistic approach. With appropriate partnerships and processes in place, this knowledge may be well represented in dominant healthcare systems and health research.

Lekgotla Discussion as a Decolonized Qualitative Methodology: A Lesson From a Workshop Conducted to Formulate and Verify the Strategies in Botlokwa Village, Limpopo, South Africa

“…In this regard the participants are allowed to agree or disagree with the shared ideas. The facilitator summarizes their inputs once all the participants have shared their opinions and ideas before a resolution can be taken (Rasweswe, 2020). Therefore, the Lekgotla workshop environment facilitate critical thinking, communication and listening skills as it engages all the participants in a dialogue.…”

“…For example, Lekgotla is continuously used to facilitate workshops for coaching managers (Tsima, 2018). The experience with Lekgotla workshop showed required qualities to conduct research with Indigenous communities (Rasweswe, 2020). Furthermore, it is widely accepted in South Africa to guide several government gatherings and meetings such as State of the Nation Address (SONA), because it has potentials of bringing the government closer to the people.…”

“…Furthermore, it is widely accepted in South Africa to guide several government gatherings and meetings such as State of the Nation Address (SONA), because it has potentials of bringing the government closer to the people. The data produced by Lekgotla discussion workshop can be qualitative or quantitative, or both (mixed methods) depending on the way it is used (Tsima, 2018;Rasweswe, 2020). In support, Chilisa and Tsheko (2014) argue that Indigenous research process can produce both qualitative and quantitative methods.…”

“…The Lekgotla discussion is an open forum in which Indigenous community members in Sub-Saharan Africa use to debate and reach agreements on community raised issues (Tsima, 2018). Some ethnicity groups in South Africa refer to it as "Kgoro" or traditional council gathering (Rasweswe, 2020). It has been noted that Lekgotla discussion can inform the research practices just like any other methodology as it encompasses both ontological and epistemological properties shared across the Africans descendants.…”