Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Health Care Workers in HIV and Aids Clinics in Durban Hospitals

Abstract

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.

Prevalence, determinants and knowledge about herbal medicine and non-hospital utilisation in southwest Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

“…Various studies have reported the use of HM in health subpopulation [30][31][32][33] and in different locations and settings. [33][34][35] General population use of HM similar to this study has been reported in South Africa, 36 Benin, 37 Uganda 38 and Nigeria. 18 39 40 But the prevalence of HM use in the general population is sparse in sub-Saharan Africa.…”

Systemic challenges hindering the flow of sustainable forestry knowledge among smallholder farmers in South Africa

“…Forestry harvested food items, nuts and indigenous fruits can greatly reduce vulnerability to hunger and malnutrition among rural inhabitants. Considering that many rural inhabitants are poor and cannot afford the cost of allopathic medicines, forests are crucial for medicinal products including bark, bulbs, leaves and roots (Akinnifesi et al, 2007;Gqaleni et al, 2007).…”

Community pharmacists’ knowledge, attitude and practices towards the use of complementary and alternative medicines in Durban, South Africa

“…Another Durban-based study amongst health care workers in HIV and/or AIDS clinics reflected poor CAM knowledge including those of homeopathy and CHM (Mbutho, Gqaleni & Korporaal 2012). Australian pharmacists also reported a lack of knowledge about CAM and its safety and identified it as a definite barrier to their recommendations; however, they still did so together with conventional medicine as part of the pharmacy protocol (Culverhouse & Wohlmuth 2012).…”

“…Another South African study noted that the pharmacological knowledge of herbal medication was limited in pharmacists, and the respondents felt they were ill-equipped to advise patients to the best of their ability (Brijlal et al 2011). In a local study (Mbutho et al 2012), it was mentioned that a lack of communication between patient and health care practitioner on CAM choices could increase the potential risk of the patient because of exposure to adverse effects; and according to the WHO ( 2008), the lack of communication negatively impacts on the patient not making an informed decision regarding medical treatment options available to them (World Health Organization 2008). This is because they have partial, fragmented or unreliable information (Mbutho et al 2012).…”