Abstract:
BACKGROUND : Traditional health practitioners (THPs) play an important role in communities
by providing necessary health services for a variety of health problems. Possessing
complementary biomedical knowledge and skills is vital in saving lives of patients. However,
less is known about biomedical knowledge and skills among THPs.
AIM : This study aimed to explore and describe the training needs of THPs on biomedical
knowledge and skills in urban townships in South Africa.
SETTING : The study was conducted in a township in the City of Tshwane Metropolitan
Municipality of Gauteng province, South Africa.
METHODS : A qualitative, explorative, descriptive design with 18 THPs was employed through
snowballing sampling. Data were collected through a lekgotla group discussion and thematic
content analysis undertaken.
RESULTS : Themes that emanated include knowledge of the basic physiological functioning of
the human body; biomedical knowledge and skills required for the assessment of patients;
managing emergency health conditions and understanding diagnostic concepts used in
traditional health practice versus biomedical systems.
CONCLUSION : Traditional health practitioners have demonstrated interest in being trained on
certain skills used within the biomedical system to care for patients. Performing the necessary
first-aid skills by THPs will assist patients in the communities while waiting for emergency
services or referrals. Provision of training programmes for THPs on first aid interventions
during emergencies is therefore recommended.
CONTRIBUTION : The study revealed that capacitating THPs with biomedical knowledge and
skills can improve their ability to promote healthy living and prevent health problems in communities where access to resources is limited.
Description:
DATA AVAILABILITY : The data supporting the findings of this study are available from
the corresponding author, M.E.M., upon reasonable request.