![](/imgs/covers/tc_cover.jpg)
|
African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines
African Ethnomedicines Network
ISSN: 0189-6016
Vol. 9, No. 4, 2012, pp. 495-502
|
Bioline Code: tc12081
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
|
|
African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, Vol. 9, No. 4, 2012, pp. 495-502
en |
WHY HIV POSITIVE PATIENTS ON ANTIRETROVIRAL TREATMENT AND/OR COTRIMOXAZOLE PROPHYLAXIS USE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE: PERCEPTIONS OF HEALTH WORKERS, TRADITIONAL HEALERS AND PATIENTS: A STUDY IN TWO PROVINCES OF SOUTH AFRICA
Puoane, TR; Hughes, GD; Uwimana, J; Johnson, Q. & Folk, W.R
Abstract
The study explored the perceptions, knowledge and attitudes of patients, health workers and traditional
healers about the use of traditional medicine and Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART). The study explored the perceptions,
knowledge and attitudes of patients, health workers and traditional healers about the use of traditional medicine and
Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART), using an exploratory qualitative design in two provinces of South Africa: an urban
township health facility in the Western Cape, and a rural district hospital in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) with antennal HIV
rate of 32% and 28%’respectively. In-depth interviews were conducted with 14 participants: six HIV patients on ART
and using Traditional Medicine(TM), two doctors, two nurses and four traditional healers. Two focus group
discussions - one at each site - were held with community health workers who work with HIV-positive patients
(Western Cape [5] and in KZN [4]). Patient said to have used Traditional Healing Practices (THP) before they were
diagnosed with HIV, and some who have been diagnosed with HIV continue using TM in conjunction with ART and/or
Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis. Patients preferred not to disclose THP to health professionals because of lack of support
and understanding. Patients utilize THP because of family expectations, privacy and confidentiality, especially when
they have not disclosed their HIV status. Healthcare professionals had strong negative opinions about THP, especially
for HIV-positive patients. Traditional healers supported the patient’s rationale for THP use. This study revealed a need
to better understand factors involved in patients’ choosing to use THP concurrently with ART.
Keywords
HIV; Perceptions; health workers; traditional healers; Antiretroviral Treatment; South Africa
|
|
© African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines Alternative site location: http://journals.sfu.ca/africanem/index.php/ajtcam
|
|