Psychological ailments and their treatment protocols: a case study of Swati traditional healers in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa (original) (raw)
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African Journal of Psychiatry, 2010
Objective: In many traditional belief systems in Africa, including South Africa, mental health problems may be attributed to the influence of ancestors or to bewitchment. Traditional healers are viewed as having the expertise to address these causes. However, there is limited information on their explanatory models and consequent treatment practices. The present study examines traditional healers' explanatory models (EMs) and treatment practices for psychotic and non-psychotic mental illnesses. Method: 4 focus group discussions (8 healers in each group) and 18 in-depth interviews were conducted. Four vignettes were presented (schizophrenia, depression, panic and somatization) and traditional healers' views on the nature of the problem, cause, consequence, treatment and patient expectations were elicited. Results: Traditional healers held multiple explanatory models for psychotic and non-psychotic disorders. Psychotic illnesses appear to be the main exemplar of mental illness and were treated with traditional medicine, while nonpsychotic illnesses were not viewed as a mental illness at all. Additionally, traditional healers do not only use herbs and substances solely from "traditional" sources but rather have incorporated into their treatment practices modern ingredients that are potentially toxic. Conclusion: Interventions aimed at increasing the mental health literacy of traditional healers are essential. In addition, investigations of the effectiveness of traditional healer treatment for psychiatric disorders should be conducted.
2020
In rural African communities, traditional healers hold an esteemed and powerful position in the diagnosis and treatment of various illnesses. They assume a significant role in addressing the mental health care needs of individuals by offering cultural appropriate treatment and they are easily accessible. This was a qualitative study, and specifically, the case study method was utilised. Ten traditional healers were chosen through purposive and snowball sampling to participate in the study. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using the thematic analysis method. The findings revealed that several procedures (like throwing of bones and direct observation of patient’s behaviours) are used to diagnose mental illness. The findings also revealed that mental illness can be treated through the use of traditional remedies and practices (like rituals). From the findings of the study, it can be suggested that both traditional medical interventions and some cultura...
Traditional healers in the treatment of common mental disorders in South Africa
2009
Abstract There are few population-level insights into the use of traditional healers and other forms of alternative care for the treatment of common mental disorders in sub-Saharan Africa. We examined the extent to which alternative practitioners are consulted, and predictors of traditional healer visits. A national survey was conducted with 3651 adults South African between 2002 and 2004 using the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) to generate diagnoses.
Transcultural Psychiatry, 2020
This qualitative ethnographic study complements an epidemiological study on first episode psychosis in Vulindlela, a rural area in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It focuses on two themes that emerged from our data: (1) the calling of the ancestors to become a traditional health practitioner and (2) ukuthwasa, the training to become a traditional health practitioner. The purpose of this study is to describe the ancestral calling, and to explore whether ukuthwasa may help with the management of mental disturbances, including unusual perceptual experiences. We also provide a discussion of the changing sociopolitical context of healing in KwaZulu-Natal, as a background to our study. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 (apprentice) traditional health practitioners, formal health practitioners, patients and relatives recruited through local traditional health practitioners and a health care clinic. Our results show that the ancestral calling might announce itself with symptoms of men...
2020
Supplemental material, TPS909615 Supplemental Material for Ancestral calling, traditional health practitioner training and mental illness: An ethnographic study from rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa by Martine van der Zeijst, Wim Veling, Elliot Mqansa Makhathini, Ezra Susser, Jonathan K. Burns, Hans W. Hoek and Ida Susser in Transcultural Psychiatry
Conceptualization of Mental illness and Treatment practice among Traditional Healers at Gondar city
2016
The aim of the study was to explore traditional healers' conception and treatment practice concerning mental illness. To achieve this aim qualitative approach was employed because the study was exploratory in nature, since much has not been done about the topic and population being studied. The researcher, therefore, sought information and built a picture based on participants' idea. The study was conducted at Gondar city located in Amhara regional state of Ethiopia. The population in this study comprise of traditional healers who are located at Gondar city. Purposive sampling was employed to select eight traditional healers and two clients. Semi structured interview and non participant observation were used to collect data. All the interviews were conducted by the researcher and audio-taped. The observation was also conducted by the researcher. Initial/open, axial, and selective coding types were conducted to condense the huge data and made fit into the preconceived themes. Thematic analysis is the particular data analysis technique used in the study. Themes that have actual and/or potential relationship with the overarching objective are selected and discussed. The study concludes that Traditional healers are able to recognize disorders related to psychosis easily being limited for other mental disorders; They have multiple explanation about causes of mental illness, including; supernatural, biological and psychosocial explanations. Traditional healers employ different techniques for diagnosing mental disorders including; Different religious books like Awed Negest; through symptom identification and by using different herbal medicines. It is also found that traditional healers employ different treatment modalities as an intervention for mental disorders including: herbal medicines, spiritual interventions, traditional rituals and counseling.
Culture, Experience, Care: (Re-)Centring the Patient, 2014
Multi-culturalism and -ethnicity are key features of African societies and an understanding of traditional belief systems and cultural perceptions about health, illness and healing is therefore pivotal on the African continent. This is all the more true when it comes to mental health. Despite neuro-psychiatric disorders ranking third (after HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases) in contributing to the overall disease burden in South Africa, mental health is still acutely stigmatized and is generally seen as a peripheral and isolated issue. This is partly due to the various cross-cultural causal explanations and perceptions that exist amongst Africans with regard to their mental health. In many of the indigenous languages, no equivalent words for concepts like ‘counselling,’ ‘therapy’ or ‘depression’ exist and traditional beliefs in supernatural causes of, and remedies for mental conditions are rife. It is furthermore not uncommon for people to accept biomedical explanations and treatment for their condition, even while espousing more traditional and cultural (ethno-etiological) perceptions about their mental health, and utilizing the traditional treatment options and rituals provided by traditional healers. This paper will consider some of these mental health ethnoetiologies in Southern Africa and will show how cultural, religious and spiritual beliefs about mental health can colour perceptions and influence communication. An argument will be made for a culture-sensitive understanding of mental illness in Southern Africa, the fundamental principles that underpin African beliefs with regard to health and illness will be considered, and a collaborative therapeutic approach that is culture-sensitive, pluralistic and patient-centred will be advocated. The primary example that will be explored in this chapter is kufungisasa, a cultural construction of the mental illness generally known as depression in Western biomedicine.
Sprin Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, 2022
This article examines the psychology underpinning indigenous healing among the Maungwe People in Makoni District. It interrogates what indigenous healing is, the psychology used by indigenous healers in the management of diseases, health models used in indigenous healing, and how psychology relates to culture. Lastly, the study looks at the efficacy or myth of indigenous medicine. The population of the indigenous healers in Makoni was twenty-nine ZINATHA registered indigenous healers and herbalists. A sample of ten indigenous healers was used. A purposive sampling method and multi-sited ethnography were used. In-depth interviews and observations were the data generation methods used. Results showed that indigenous healers use various ways that have psychological implications for the patient, such as the use of animal skin or black, white, or red clothes thrown over their shoulders when they are carrying out their healing activities. Other indigenous healers put a special head-gear called "ngundu" on their heads. The "ngundu," which has black feathers stuck around it, is worn when getting into "matare," a process done by indigenous healers to ascertain why the patient is suffering from a certain disease. The use of divining equipment called 'hakata' also has a psychological effect. The results also show that indigenous medicine is effective, as it has been used for centuries to treat various diseases. It was recommended that trainee indigenous medicinal practitioners should also master the psychological rituals which are used in the indigenous healing process.
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 2018
Background Traditional and faith healers constitute an important group of complementary and alternative mental health service providers (CAPs) in sub-Sahara Africa. Governments in the region commonly express a desire to integrate them into the public health system. The aim of the study was to describe the profile, practices and distribution of traditional and faith healers in three sub-Saharan African countries in great need for major improvements in their mental health systems namely Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria. Materials and methods A mapping exercise of CAPs who provide mental health care was conducted in selected catchment areas in the three countries through a combination of desk review of existing registers, engagement activities with community leaders and a snowballing technique. Information was collected on the type of practice, the methods of diagnosis and the forms of treatment using a specially designed proforma. Results We identified 205 CAPs in Ghana, 406 in Kenya and 82 in Nigeria. Most (> 70%) of the CAPs treat both physical and mental illnesses. CAPs receive training through long years of apprenticeship. They use a combination of herbs, various forms of divination and rituals in the treatment of mental disorders. The use of physical restraints by CAPs to manage patients was relatively uncommon in Kenya (4%) compared to Nigeria (63.4%) and Ghana (21%). CAPs often have between 2-to 10-fold capacity for patient admission compared to conventional mental health facilities. The profile of CAPs in Kenya stands out from those of Ghana and Nigeria in many respects. Conclusion CAPs are an important group of providers of mental health care in sub-Saharan Africa, but attempts to integrate them into the public health system must address the common use of harmful treatment practices.
International Journal of Social Psychiatry
Introduction: Mental illness is a non-communicable disease that is increasingly contributing to the global burden of diseases and disability. It affects a person’s feelings, thinking, behavior, and daily life functioning. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore perceived causes of mental illness, techniques for identifying mental illness, and treatment methods used by traditional healers in the Berta community. Methods: The study employed a qualitative research method. Data were collected using semi-structured in-depth interviews with seven traditional healers who were selected purposefully. We used thematic analysis to present and analyze the data. Results: The findings of this study indicated that witchcraft, supernatural power, hereditary, substance use, and food poising as the main perceived causes of mental illness among traditional healers in the Berta community. The traditional healers identify mental illness using different techniques such as patient observation...