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Theses and dissertations (Health Sciences)

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    A comparison of the conceptual understanding and management of Acne Vulgaris amongst registered homoeopaths and izinyanga in KwaZulu-Natal
    (2019-12) Cebekhulu, Candice Sanelisiwe; Wulfsohn, T.O.; Dube, Nontobeko Sibusisile
    INTRODUCTION Acne vulgaris commonly known as ‘acne’ is a chronic skin disease that is caused by inflammation or blockage of the hair follicles and their associated pilosebaceous units. Acne vulgaris typically affects areas of high density of sebaceous follicles such as the face, neck and back. More than 85% of the adolescent population including 20% of adult women and men worldwide are affected by acne vulgaris. Acne vulgaris further accounts for more than 3.5 million general practitioner appointments each year, making this disease a health concern worldwide. Dermatologists are medical practitioners who are qualified to diagnose and treat acne vulgaris. In the province of KwaZulu-Natal patients suffering from acne vulgaris frequently consult homoeopathic as well as izinyanga traditional health practitioners for the alleviation of their skin ailments. However, little is known about the conceptual understanding together with the management of acne vulgaris amongst registered homoeopaths and izinyanga in KwaZulu-Natal. AIM The aim of this study was to explore and compare the conceptual understanding as well as the practice and management methods of homoeopaths and izinyanga in the treatment of patients with acne vulgaris in order to fully understand their conceptual understanding and management of acne vulgaris. METHODOLOGY An exploratory study using qualitative research techniques together with inductive reasoning processes was employed to collect data from six registered homoeopathic practitioners and six registered izinyanga traditional health practitioners in KwaZulu-Natal selected by means of judgemental sampling and snowball sampling respectively. Semi-structured interviews in a face-to-face situation were utilised to collect the primary data. The collected data was then transcribed and analysed using framework analysis. RESULTS The results showed that the homoeopath and izinyanga respondents shared similar ideas in terms of their conceptual understanding and management of acne vulgaris. Both groups of practitioners held that acne vulgaris on its own was not purely a disease but was rather a symptom of a deeper underlying cause. Furthermore, both of them prescribed their treatment based on individualisation. Homoeopaths understood the disorder as an outer expression of an inner underlying pathology that presented itself outwardly via visible signs and symptoms. Suppression of the sycotic miasm together with hormonal imbalances were the two main underlying pathologies that they believed were the cause of acne vulgaris. Homoeopaths made their medical diagnosis based on physical examinations together with the past medical history medical history of the patient. Lastly, homoeopaths managed their patients through detailed case taking, constitutional and similimum remedies. Izinyanga described acne vulgaris as isichito (a human made curse to ruin ones skin or to break up a relationship), that was placed by abathakathi (witch doctors) or jealous individuals with the intention of ruining one’s face or with the aim of separating a couple. Izinyanga used ukuhlola (the use of ancestral powers to diagnose patients). Lastly their treatment regime consisted of a combination of herbs and natural elements (collectively known as uMuthi) together with ukugquma (i.e. steaming, where one exposes the face for several minutes to steam coming from a very hot pot while covering the head with a blanket draped over the pot) and ukuphalaza (to vomit or to clear the stomach through induced emesis). There were, however, a few differences between these two medical systems. Homoeopaths believed that in addition to the prescribed treatment patients should undergo counselling. The izinyanga did not share this idea. In addition, the izinyanga believed that witchcraft was a barrier to treating acne vulgaris patients while the homoeopaths did not mention this in their responses. CONCLUSION The conceptual understanding and management of acne vulgaris amongst the homoeopaths and izinyanga interviewed appeared to be similar despite a few differences in their treatment regime. Additionally, considering the fact that acne vulgaris is a chronic disease that affects the majority of the adolescent population at large and that many of these affected individuals consult either homoeopaths or izinyanga for the alleviation of their skin ailments, a co-operative practice between these two health practitioners is paramount. Furthermore, more awareness about the treatment methods offered by homoeopaths and izinyanga should be promoted within the healthcare system.
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    A study of the relative effectiveness of a homoeopathic complex consisting of: silicea terra 30ch ... in the treatment of acne vulgaris in terms of its clinical manifestations
    (1999) Barklie, Tanya; Lee, Monique
    The purpose of this study was to compare the relative effectiveness of a homoeopathic complex consisting of: Kalium Bromatum 9CH, Selenium 9CH, Sulphur Iodatum 15CH, Natrum Muriaticum 15CH and Silicea Terra 30CH; and a herbal complex containing: Echinacea purpurea, Arctium lappa, Berberis aquifolium and Taraxacum officinalis in the treatment of acne vulgaris in terms of its clinical manifestations.
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    The effect of a homoeopathic complex (Sil-Sel-Hep-K-Lap-Puls) on acne vulgaris
    (1997) Lee, Monique; McDavid, G. M.
    The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a homoeopathic acne complex Sil-Sel-Hep-K-Lap-Puls, which is an abbreviation of its components - Silicea 30CH, Selenium 9CH, Hepar sulphuris 30CH, Kali bromatum 9CH, Arctium lappa 3CH, and Pulsatilla 30CH, in the treatment of acne vulgaris. This study is a double blind randomised placebo-controlled clinical evaluation. Convenience sampling was employed to draw 34 patients, of both sex, median age 21 years from the greater Durban area. Those patients suffering from Acne fulminans, Acne rosacea and Conglobate acne or receiving hormonal, vitamin, Schussler tissue salts, antibiotics and other acne treatments that would affect the acne vulgaris would not be accepted into the treatment. There were 34 patients of which 16 constituted the control group and received only placebo. The remaining 18 were the experimental group and were treated with the homoeopathic acne complex. The homoeopathic acne complex was prepared by the homoeopathic laboratory, Pharma natura. The effect of the homoeopathic acne complex was measured in terms of the reduction in the total number oflesions ie. The Leeds Technique for assessing acne vulgaris - the counting technique.
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    The homoeopathic treatment of acne
    (1994) McDavid, Gillies Malcolme; Boyer, R. P.
    The aim of this study was to determine the degree of proficiency of Homoeopathy in the treatment of Acne Vulgaris in terms of its clinical manifestations and the patients perception to the treatment in order to determine the role Homoeopathy plays, if any, in the treatment of this condition. In this study the specific single variable design chosen was the 'before-and-after with control'. A sample of thirty patients was randomly taken from the greater Durban area, and from this sample fifteen patients were treated with Homoeopathic treatment and the remaining fifteen received placebo treatment. Patients were screened using a series of delimitations set out in a consent form which was signed by the patients. An extensive case history was performed on each patient at the first consultation in order to assess their Mental, Emotional and their Physical well being and were seen at regular four week intervals thereafter. The patients were also photographed at the first and all the subsequent visits. Based on the case history and a physical examination, Homoeopathic medication or placebo was prescribed according to the law of similars. At each of the following consultations the patients completed a questionnaire regarding their perception to the treatment and were rephotographed noting any changes.
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    A study comparing the effectiveness of a herbal-complex (Arctium lappa, Berberis aquifolium, Echinacea purpurea and Taraxacum officinale) as compared to homoeopathic simillimum in the treatment of Acne vulgaris
    (2003) Govender, Nervashnee
    The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a herbal-complex consisting of (Arctium lappa, Berberis aquifolium, Echinacea purpurea and Taraxacum officinale), as compared to homoeopathic simillimum in terms of the clinical manifestations and the patients’ perception of response to the treatment
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    The efficacy of kalium bromatum 30CH in the treatment of acne vulgaris
    (2005) Nijland, Grant; Steele, Richard
    The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the Homoeopathic remedy Kalium bromatum 30CH compared to placebo in the treatment of Acne vulgaris. The study was a double blind placebo controlled study. Participants were recruited via advertisements in local newspapers and notices posted at schools, health shops and pharmacies. Thirty volunteers who complied with the inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomly assigned to an experimental or control group of 15 participants each. The treatment period was four weeks which included three consultations. The effect of treatment was measured by determining the reduction in the number of lesions found on the faces of the participants. The lesions were divided into three groups, namely non-inflamed lesions, inflamed lesions and comedones. The Leeds Technique for assessing Acne vulgaris was used.