Department of Health Studies, Faculty of Humanities, University of South Africa, Pretoria.
S Afr Fam Pract (2004). 2022 Aug 19;64(1):e1-e8. doi: 10.4102/safp.v64i1.5559.
This article presents the effects of traditional healing on the management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the Vhembe district, South Africa. The Vhembe district is one of the rural districts in Limpopo Province, South Africa, in which traditional healers are used as the first point of consultation for most ailments, regardless of their causes.
This ethnographic study was based on Leininger's theory of culture care diversity and universality. It was carried out in selected villages in the Vhembe district. Observation and interviews with 15 purposively selected key informants, who are traditional healers, were used to collect data. Interviews were tape-recorded and field notes were also taken. The data were analysed using the ethnographic content analysis method.
The results suggest that traditional healing has both negative and positive effects on HIV and AIDS management. The positive effects are the effective treatment of some opportunistic infections, such as diarrhoea, skin lesions and childhood diseases. Negative effects, however, include incisions to let the 'dirty blood flow out' and inducing of vomiting and diarrhoea, which may lead to anaemia, dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Some traditional healers are of the view that HIV does not exist and that people either have an ancestral calling or are bewitched. Even though their claims have not been scientifically proven, some traditional healers stated that they can heal HIV and AIDS.
The research brings insight as to whether Vhavenda traditional healing has a favourable or unfavourable impact on HIV and AIDS management. Using Leininger's steps for adaptation for culture care diversity and universality will help with re-Africanisation of HIV management. The researcher recommend the modification of practices with a high risk of HIV infection to reduce this risk, whilst also supporting the continuation of beneficial practices that reduce HIV mortality, such as diarrhoea management.
本文介绍了南非威姆布省传统治疗方法对人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）和获得性免疫缺陷综合征（AIDS）管理的影响。威姆布区是南非林波波省的一个农村地区，无论病因如何，传统治疗师都被用作大多数疾病的第一咨询点。
这项民族志研究基于 Leininger 的文化关怀多样性和普遍性理论。它在威姆布区的选定村庄进行。使用观察和对 15 名有目的选择的关键信息提供者（传统治疗师）的访谈来收集数据。访谈进行了录音，并做了现场记录。使用民族志内容分析法分析数据。
结果表明，传统治疗对 HIV 和 AIDS 管理既有积极影响，也有消极影响。积极影响是有效治疗腹泻、皮肤损伤和儿童疾病等一些机会性感染。然而，消极影响包括切开让“脏血流出来”和诱导呕吐和腹泻，这可能导致贫血、脱水和电解质失衡。一些传统治疗师认为 HIV 并不存在，人们要么有祖传的召唤，要么被施了魔法。尽管他们的说法没有科学依据，但一些传统治疗师表示他们可以治愈 HIV 和 AIDS。
这项研究深入了解了 Vhavenda 传统治疗对 HIV 和 AIDS 管理的影响是有利还是不利。使用 Leininger 的文化关怀多样性和普遍性适应步骤将有助于对 HIV 管理的再非洲化。研究人员建议修改具有高 HIV 感染风险的做法，以降低这种风险，同时支持继续进行减少 HIV 死亡率的有益做法，如腹泻管理。
