Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Health Care Workers in HIV and Aids Clinics in Durban Hospitals

N Gqaleni,Np Mbutho,Cm Korporaal

doi:10.4314/ajtcam.v9i3s.8

Abstract

Traditional complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM) has been reported to be commonly used among individuals with HIV and AIDS disease. However a lack of communication between health care workers (HCWs) and patients as well as between HCWs and TCAM practitioners has been identified as one of the challenges that may adversely affect treatment of HIV and AIDS patients. With improved and sustained communication HCWs, patients and TCAM practitioners would be able to make informed decisions with regards to best treatment practices based on the knowledge of what is safe, effective and what is not. In order to establish a baseline understanding of the current status of interaction and communication between HCWs and TCAM profession in Durban, South Africa, the purpose of the study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of HCWs in the HIV and AIDS clinics towards TCAM professions. Data was collected by means of anonymous self-administered questionnaire which was distributed to HCWs in the HIV and AIDS clinics. Out of 161 HCWs in the HIV and AIDS clinics 81 HCWs returned the questionnaires resulting in 50% response rate. The results showed that participants did not possess a basic knowledge of TCAM. Out of 81 participants 23 (28%) scored zero in a true or false knowledge assessment question.

Highlights

Usage of Traditional complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM) by the public has increased drastically (Willison et al, 2004) and among people with HIV and AIDS (Achilles et al, 1999) irrespective of whether it is through evidence based national health systems or through private access by patients (White, 2000)
Communities such as aboriginal people, Chinese community and Indian community consider TCAM not as an alternative but as part of their cultural heritage and is perceived as standard care (Achilles et al, 1999). This trend seems to be mirrored in South Africa, where the Department of Health estimates that there are 200 000 traditional healers in the country that consult for variety of traditional medicines and that there are 3622 allied health practitioners that are registered for variety of complementary alternative medicines (Gqaleni et al, 2007)
The participants had an average of 2.83 years working experience in the HIV and AIDS clinic and an average of 10.55 years working experience in the health field

Summary

Introduction

Usage of TCAM by the public has increased drastically (Willison et al, 2004) and among people with HIV and AIDS (Achilles et al, 1999) irrespective of whether it is through evidence based national health systems or through private access by patients (White, 2000). Up to 80% of the people in developing counties rely on TCAM traditional medicine for their primary health care due to cultural traditions or lack of alternative (Chandy, 2004) Communities such as aboriginal people, Chinese community and Indian community consider TCAM not as an alternative but as part of their cultural heritage and is perceived as standard care (Achilles et al, 1999). This trend seems to be mirrored in South Africa, where the Department of Health estimates that there are 200 000 traditional healers in the country that consult for variety of traditional medicines and that there are 3622 allied health practitioners that are registered for variety of complementary alternative medicines (Gqaleni et al, 2007).

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion