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Faculty of Health Sciences

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Author: search.filters.author.Gqaleni, Nceba

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    Exploring the nature of partnership between African traditional and conventional health care in eThekwini district of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
    (AJPHERD-SD, 2014-06) Ndzimande, Busisiwe Edith; Sibiya, Maureen Nokuthula; Gqaleni, Nceba
    The current alarming growth of diseases and complications, especially in Africa, makes the integration of traditional and conventional health practices a priority in medical training, research and planning, and the funding of health services. In KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), a few clinics have initiated the process of partnership with the traditional health practitioners (THPs). However, the nature of this partnership is not clearly defined, hence the need for this study. According to the World Health Organisation, approximately 80% of the population of African Member States use traditional medicine to meet their health care needs. Therefore it is a high priority that Traditional Health Care Practitioners (THPs) be integrated into conventional medicine, and considered the entry point to primary health care (PHC). This study aims to outline the potential consensus on how traditional and western health practitioners could work together to achieve a common goal without undermining each other. The objective of the study was to determine the possible relationship between western and traditional medicine. In order to understand the complexities of an intact culture of the entire group, a qualitative, multiple case study design was employed in this study as the researchers sought to explore a programme, an activity, a process, one or more individuals, groups, institutions and other social units. Results from the study indicate that partnership is far from being implemented by both parties. THPs should form part of health policy making, conventional medicine training and the District Health Information System.
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    Traditional complementary and alternative medicine : knowledge, attitudes and practices of health care workers in HIV and AIDS clinics in Durban hospitals
    (African Networks on Ethnomedicines, 2012) Mbutho, Nozuko P.; Gqaleni, Nceba; Korporaal, Charmaine Maria
    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.