Metallic mercury use by South African traditional health practitioners: perceptions and practices

Renée A Street,Catherine Connolly,Gaëtan M Kabera

doi:10.1186/s12940-015-0053-4

Abstract

BackgroundMercury is a toxic metal however its use in traditional healthcare systems remains widespread. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of mercury use by South African Traditional Health Practitioners (THP) and to document reasons for use and administration methods.MethodsA cross-sectional study design was employed. A total of 201 THPs were enrolled from two main metropolitan areas of KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa), and 198 were included in the final analysis. Information on demographic characteristics, reasons for using or not using mercury as well as mercury administration methods were collected.ResultsOf the 198 THPs, 78 (39 %) used mercury for healing purposes and 74 (95 %) of the mercury users stated that they were taught to use it by another THP. The two main routes of administration were oral and sub-cutaneous implantations (ukugcaba) at 85 % (n = 66) and 59 % (n = 46), respectively. The most common responses for mercury administration were for child birth (n = 70; 90 %) and protection against guns (n = 39; 50 %).ConclusionThis is the first study to describe the prevalence and practice of mercury use in South African traditional medicine. Socio-cultural mercury use is a potential source of exposure to both THPs and their patients. In light of such findings, public education messages and regulatory measures need to be effected.

Highlights

Mercury is a toxic metal its use in traditional healthcare systems remains widespread
The results of mercury practice and perceptions by Traditional Health Practitioners (THP) responding to their current use of mercury for healing purposes are reported in this paper
The results in the first column indicate that of 198 THPS, 168 (85 %) were from eThekwini and the remaining THPs were from uMgungundlovu

Summary

Introduction

Mercury is a toxic metal its use in traditional healthcare systems remains widespread. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of mercury use by South African Traditional Health Practitioners (THP) and to document reasons for use and administration methods. Chemical form, dosage, exposure period and route as well as stage of individual human development are all aspects determining the incidence and severity of adverse human effects [2, 3]. The inimitable appearance and peerless properties of metallic mercury have attracted human attention throughout history [4]. Mercury for therapeutic purposes was prevalent until the 20th century when the detrimental effects of its exposure became notorious [7, 8]. Mercury in traditional healthcare systems is still widespread today [3, 5, 9]. In traditional Chinese medicine, mercury is part of certain preparations under the colloquial names of ‘cinnabaris’ (mercuric sulfide) and ‘calomel’

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Discussion

Conclusion