2011
DOI: 10.1057/jphp.2011.26
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Utilization of traditional healers in South Africa and costs to patients: Findings from a national household survey

Abstract: The use of traditional medicine is widespread in developing countries. We report on the utilization of traditional healers, using data obtained in a 2008 national survey of 4762 households in South Africa. Only 1.2 per cent of survey participants reported utilization of traditional healers. Respondents' reasons for visiting traditional healers included continuity of care and a belief in their effectiveness. Traditional healer utilization rates (0.02 visits per month) were considerably lower compared to utiliza… Show more

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Cited by 82 publications
(77 citation statements)
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“…Furthermore, the internal structure where diagnosis may be separate from treatment has implications to accessibility and cost of traditional medicine (Non-hlanhla et al, 2011). Even where a healer combines diagnosis and treatment, the entire process may, as indicated in case one in this study, take a couple of days, even weeks.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 96%
“…Furthermore, the internal structure where diagnosis may be separate from treatment has implications to accessibility and cost of traditional medicine (Non-hlanhla et al, 2011). Even where a healer combines diagnosis and treatment, the entire process may, as indicated in case one in this study, take a couple of days, even weeks.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 96%
“…Blacks in Africa use traditional medicine widely 1 but there is no report of whether its topical use in the eyes is associated with pterygium occurrence. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light based on location, 2 occupation, 3 and length of time spent outdoors 4 is regarded as the main association of pterygium occurrence.…”
mentioning
confidence: 99%
“…2 The World Health Organization indicates that up to 80% of African populations use traditional medicine, and similar figures have been reported in South Africa (SA). 3 Therefore, sufficient attention is required for a better understanding of the safety, efficacy and practice of African traditional medicine in clinical trials. To date, there has been limited scientific documentation on the use of traditional medicine, especially randomised clinical trials, but literature reporting on prevalence, and case studies and case reports, have been noted.…”
mentioning
confidence: 99%