Traditional disease prevention practices performed during infancy in a designated municipality ward in Tshwane District

Abstract

The aim of the study was to explore the traditional disease prevention practices performed during infancy in a designated area in Tshwane District. In South Africa, the majority of African people continue to perform traditional disease prevention practices in all stages of life; from pregnancy, infancy, childhood to adulthood. These practices are performed despite the outlaw of African Traditional Medicine by the Medical Association of South Africa in 1953 and unconstitutional Witchcraft Suppression Act of 1957 as amended in 1970. Research design This study followed a qualitative research approach that used sensory ethnography as a design. Sensory ethnography uses multisensory perceptions such as smell, touch, sight, taste and hearing concurrently with interviews and other forms of data generation techniques to develop knowledge. In this study, observations and documentation of artefacts and semi-structured interviews were used to explore the traditional disease prevention practices that are performed during infancy. Data were analysed using principles expounded by Roper and Shapiro (2000).The analytic processes were aided by Atlas.ti 7 qualitative data management software. Insights The analysis of the data yielded six motifs as: types of artefacts worn as the traditional practices, socio-cultural practices, type of healer performing the practices, period and duration for the effectiveness of the practice and ethnicity. Each motif has sub-motifs. Conclusion African communities perform traditional practices for disease prevention and health promotion, no matter where they are in the world. It is necessary for nurses, especially in primary health care settings, to have knowledge of such practices as they are constantly in contact with patients or clients throughout their careers.