PATIENTS CONSULTING TRADITIONAL HEALTH PRACTIONERS IN THE CONTEXT OF HIV/AIDS IN URBAN AREAS IN KWAZULU-NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA

Authors

  • Karl Peltzer
  • Nolwandle Mngqundaniso

Keywords:

Patients, traditional health practitioners, HIV/AIDS management, 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.

Author Biographies

Karl Peltzer

Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS and Health, Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa & Department of Psychology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Nolwandle Mngqundaniso

Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa.

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Published

2008-05-12

How to Cite

Peltzer, K., & Mngqundaniso, N. (2008). PATIENTS CONSULTING TRADITIONAL HEALTH PRACTIONERS IN THE CONTEXT OF HIV/AIDS IN URBAN AREAS IN KWAZULU-NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 5(4), 370–379. Retrieved from https://athmsi.org/journals/index.php/ajtcam/article/view/441

Issue

Section

Research Papers

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