Management of the oral manifestations of HIV/AIDS by traditional healers and care givers

Rudolph, Michael; Ogunbodede, Eyitope; Mistry, Malkesh

doi:10.4102/curationis.v30i1.1051

Cited by 16 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Previous research from Ghana and other countries in Africa has shown that TMPs most often claim expertise in visible ailments, such as wounds, snake bites, skin conditions [28–30], or locally prevalent diseases such as malaria [31–33]. Studies on oral health in sub-Saharan Africa indicate that TMPs identify visible symptoms of oral diseases, such as bleeding gums, but diseases of non-visible signs needed training and hands-on experience [27, 34]. Our study indicates that herbalists tend to lack knowledge of the early stages of cancer.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Traditional Herbalists and Cancer Management in Kumasi, Ghana

et al. 2012

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Cancer incidence rates are increasing in sub-Saharan Africa where traditional medical practitioners (TMPs) are involved in cancer management. Little is known about the specific role that TMPs play in cancer management in Ghana; we hypothesize that an understanding of the practices of TMPs with regard to cancer patients would help to enhance literacy about cancer amongst TMPs and would contribute to the diagnosis of cancer at earlier stages, by avoiding the detrimental delays while enlisting their help in certain activities that enhance cancer care. To elucidate the nature of the involvement of TMPs in cancer management, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 42 TMPs who practice in Kumasi, Ghana. The interviews elicited information about their knowledge and practices regarding cancer management and interactions with local hospitals. The results showed that TMPs tended to identify cancers as diseases of visible masses, fungating lesions, ulceration, and bleeding reflecting the advanced stages and types of cancers they usually encounter. TMPs identified certain causes of cancer and believed that they can treat and prevent cancer. These results indicate that TMPs are significant health service delivery resources in Ghana for patients potentially affected with cancer. Our work suggests that dedicated efforts to further integrate TMPs into the overall health care system would be beneficial to patients. Future research should examine the role of cancer education and training programs for TMPs to enhance their knowledge, strengthen their ability to complement allopathic practitioners, and increase early detection and treatment efforts through appropriate and timely referrals.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Traditional Herbalists and Cancer Management in Kumasi, Ghana

et al. 2012

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“…Traditional healers are considered to be effective agents of change as they command authority in their communities, function as psychologists, marriage and family counselors, physicians and legal and political advisors [7]. They are also the legitimate interpreters of customary rules of conduct, morality and values.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge and practice of traditional healers in oral health in the Bui Division, Cameroon

Agbor

Naidoo

2011

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

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BackgroundThe majority of Cameroonians depend on traditional medicines for their health care needs and about seven per cent of the average household health budget is spent on traditional medicines irrespective of their incomes. The aim of the present study was to determine the oral care knowledge and practices of Traditional Healers (TH) on oral health delivery in the urban and rural areas of Bui Division of Cameroon and the objectives to determine the cost of treatment and reasons why people visit TH.MethodsThe present study was cross sectional and utilized semi-structured questionnaires to collect data.ResultsThe sample consisted of 21 TH and 52 clients of TH. Sixty two percent of the TH's were above 40 years and 90% male. The mean age was 46 years (range 20-77 years). Twenty four percent of the TH practiced as herbalists and the remainder both divination and herbalism. Sixty seven percent of people in the Bui Division, who patronize TH for their oral health needs, fall within the 20-40 year age group. There is little collaboration between the oral health workers and TH and only 6% of all patients seen by TH are referred to the dentist. Socio-cultural and economic factors affect the oral health care seeking behavior of patients in this area and only 6.5% of patients visit dental clinics. Reasons for not attending dental clinics included high cost, poor accessibility, superstition and fear. TH's are not experienced in the treatment of pulpitis - the majority of patients who presented with toothache had temporary or no relief, but despite this 67% reported being satisfied with their treatment. Sixty nine percent of the patients visited TH because of low cost - the average cost of treatment with TH (approximately $5) is very low, as compared to conventional treatment ($50).ConclusionsTraditional healers are willing to co-operate with oral health workers in improving oral health. Since they have a vital role to play in health care seeking attitudes in this community and barriers affecting the oral health seeking behaviours should be removed. Mutual cooperation, collaboration and by integrating TH into primary oral health care services needs to be increased.

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“…Reaching a consensus on how to merge the objectives of TH with that of the public oral health system could lead to improved equity, increase primary health coverage and may prevent the duplication of functions (Kayombo et al 2007; Wilkinson et al 2007; Rudolph et al 2007). Studies have reported that traditional healers are willing to co-operate with oral health workers in improving the oral health of their patients.…”

Section: Th In Primary Health Care/disease Preventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Masauso Nzima et al (1996) carried out a similar study in four Copperbelt towns in Zambia whereby traditional healer received AIDS training and how to counsel clients on safe sex behaviours, together with follow-up monthly meetings(Masauso Nzima et al 1996). It has been suggested that if TH could identify common oral manifestations of HIV/ AIDS, they can serve as referral points for patients with HIV/AIDS to the main stream health care system (Agbor and Naidoo, 2011, Rudolph et al 2007) and also as oral health counsellors/educators who could identify common dental problems and do the appropriate referrals (Agbor and Naidoo, 2011) and as well educate the community on oral health diseases. …”

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confidence: 99%

A review of the role of African traditional medicine in the management of oral diseases

Agbor¹,

Naidoo²

2016

Afr. J. Trad. Compl. Alt. Med.

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Background: Poverty, inadequacy of health services, shortage of health workers, infectious diseases scourges, rampant shortage of drugs and equipment in existing health facilities make traditional medicine an important component of healthcare in Africa, especially in oral health care. This review was done to document the role of African traditional medicine in oral health care delivery in order to provide a comprehensive documentation, identify research gaps, and suggest perspectives for future research. Materials and Methods: Available references or reports in English and French on the use of African traditional medicine in oral health care were consulted from published scientific journals, books, reports from national, regional and international organizations, theses, conference papers and other grey materials. Literature was searched on international online databases such as Pubmed, MEDLINE, Science Direct, Scopus and Google using the MeSH words "Traditional medicine or healer", "oral health", "dental caries", "dental", "primary oral health care' and "medicinal plants". Results: Contemporary African communities operate a pluralistic health system whereby highly sophisticated biomedical health care co-exists and even competes with traditional medical practices. Though most patients opt for dual consultations, the introduction of biomedicine has never replaced traditional indigenous medicine and traditional healers are consulted for several reasons making dual treatment a common occurrence in many communities. Factors such as the lack of health care workers, inequalities in the health sector due to socio-cultural and socio-economic disparities prevent people from patronising both health care systems. Therapeutic methods used by African traditional healers include herbalism, psychotherapy, simple surgical procedures, rituals and symbolism. The types of medications used by traditional healers were classified as preventive and prophylactic medications. Some practices of traditional healers included tooth extractions with medicinal plants and also in other practices resulting in exposure to blood; practices involving the use of shared instruments had been reported to be responsible for the transmission of HIV/AIDS. Other harmful practices include gemectomy, uvulectomy and different forms of infant oral mutilations. Conclusion: Traditional healers provide dental care, but their work was not integrated with that of a dentist. Traditional healers have special qualities that make them highly effective in primary oral health care therefore making them inevitable stakeholders in primary oral health care delivery. The research gaps in this review include the integration of traditional medicine into the oral health care systems of many African countries and the evaluation of the treatment outcomes of traditional medicine in dental care.

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Management of the oral manifestations of HIV/AIDS by traditional healers and care givers

Cited by 16 publications

References 6 publications

Traditional Herbalists and Cancer Management in Kumasi, Ghana

Traditional Herbalists and Cancer Management in Kumasi, Ghana

Knowledge and practice of traditional healers in oral health in the Bui Division, Cameroon

A review of the role of African traditional medicine in the management of oral diseases

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