Abstract:
Despite programmes developed to alleviate tuberculosis (TB) infection
worldwide, South Africa is still reporting high rates of infection. Most South
Africans believe in and consider using the medicine provided by African
indigenous health practitioners (AIHPs) rather than consulting practitioners at
modern health facilities. The isolated functioning of these two groups of
practitioners motivated the government to establish the Traditional Health
Practitioners Act (22 of 2007), to encourage AIHPs and biomedical health
practitioners (BHPs) to collaborate on the healing of different diseases,
including TB. The Mpumalanga province has been hit the hardest by TB and
has a high infection rate. The study aimed at exploring and describing the
perceptions of AIHPs and BHPs on collaboration concerning TB treatment in
the Ehlanzeni district, Mpumalanga. A semi-structured interview guide was
used to collect data from focus groups with 21 AIHPs and in-depth individual
interviews with 10 BHPs. The findings of the study reveal differing perceptions,
as some BHPs accept the Act and acknowledge collaboration, while others have
concerns about standards of care, patient safety, and overdosing. They are
reluctant to accept integration, as they see AIHPs as unscientific practitioners
who use strong medicine that is detrimental to patients. The AIHPs welcomed
the idea of working together and mutual teaching with the aim of empowering
each other with knowledge regarding the treatment of TB, for the ultimate
benefit of patients.
