Abstract:
Introduction: Around 80% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa use indigenous
medicine when ill, before consulting biomedical health practitioners, and many
only consult doctors when their disease is at an advanced stage or the indigenous
medicine has failed. The rise in TB infection has led the South African government
to consider collaboration between African indigenous health and biomedical health
practitioners in order to counter a pandemic among communities. The World
Health Organisation (WHO) advocates incorporating African indigenous health
and biomedical health practitioners to promote quality service delivery among the
communities. Support for cooperation between these health practitioners was
promoted in South Africa with the passing of the Traditional Health Practitioners
Act of 2007 (Act. 22 of 2007) to promote collaboration. The government
introduced programmes and models of health promotion related to TB
management but they focussed on the prevention of the disease, promotion of
health, and programmes about HIV/AIDS rather than on how a model of
convergence and engagement between the African indigenous health and
biomedical health practitioners regarding treatment of TB should be created.
Research design and methods: A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and
contextual research design was used. The study conducted within the biomedical
health and African indigenous health practitioner's context and was conducted in
three phases. Non-probability, purposive sampling was used to choose a
population that comprised three groups of participants, namely, biomedical health
practitioners, African indigenous health practitioners and supporters of direct
observed treatment (DOT).The sample size was large enough to determine
differences between groups. The researcher conducted in-depth individual
interviews and focus group to explore and describe their views regarding
convergence and engagement about the treatment of TB. Questions were asked
following the interview guide until data saturation occur. Data analysis was
conducted following Tesch method. Findings: The study found they perceived the treatment of TB differently, largely
because of cultural diversity, for instance, differing beliefs and worldviews that had
an impact on understanding the meaning of concepts such as disease, illness and
wellness. Some believed that it was caused by witchcraft, others the result of
cleansing rituals not having been carried out. It was also believed that Isidliso
entered the victim while sleeping, in the form of food. Thus, the development of
the model of convergence and engagement between the biomedical health and
African indigenous health practitioners will sort out the myths that is in the mind of
the people regarding the cause of TB.
Conclusion: The model of convergence and engagement between the biomedical
health and African indigenous health practitioners regarding the tuberculosis (TB)
treatment was developed following the steps proposed by Dickoff, James and
Wiedenbach and Walker and Avant.
