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A narrative study of the illness experience of fibromyalgia in South Africa.Cooper, Silvie 16 July 2014 (has links)
This thesis presents the findings of an exploratory study undertaken to investigate the illness
experience of fibromyalgia in the context of South Africa. It contains the literature review
and conceptual framework that guided the study. The theoretical discussions reflect the
approaches to health and illness, illness experience and narrative study, context, diagnosis,
prognosis, sickness, illness career, treatment, institutional interactions and social support.
Following this, the methodological approaches and tools used in conducting this study are
explained. In-depth interviews and diaries were used to collect narratives from 15 participants
and one practitioner. Additionally, a brief media content analysis was included in order to
assess the public perceptions of fibromyalgia in South African news articles. The themes of
legitimacy, credibility, flexibility, and accommodation are continually developed throughout
the thesis. The Analysis of Findings chapter presents and discusses the evidence gathered
from the investigations undertaken in this study. This chapter shows how the contested and
confusing illness experience of fibromyalgia can be understood, by viewing the interactions
that patients have with their practitioners, families, peers and colleagues. The meanings
ascribed to fibromyalgia as a label, and the uncertain prognosis attached to the diagnosis, as
well as infrequently effective treatment options are explored here. The gains found in
successful practitioner-patient interactions, and the limitations of medical aid coverage for
chronic conditions like fibromyalgia in South Africa are discussed in this chapter. The role of
family and peers, as well as workplaces and colleagues in offering support to those living
with fibromyalgia is analysed. Finally, the conclusions arising from this study are presented,
and recommendations for areas of future engagement and research are offered in order to
attain a better understanding of the experience and impact of fibromyalgia in the South
African context.
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Tsenguluso ya ndila dza u vha maine wa sialala kha TshivendaNtshauba, Siwethu Thomas January 2011 (has links)
Thesis (M.A. (African Languages)) -- University of Limpopo, 2011 / The mini-dissertation investigated the ways in which one qualifies as a traditional healer in Tshivenda. The study has discovered that a person cannot choose to become a traditional healer, he or she is chosen by the ancestors into this profession and they make their wishes known to the person concerned through continuous illness and dreams. Nowadays, there is an increased number of traditional healers in the community. It seems as if the community is confused as to whether all these healers have gone through the proper ways of becoming a traditional healer in Tshivenḓa or they are largely interested in the economic gain.
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Traditional healing among the Nguni people.Mpono, Lindelwa Judith. January 2007 (has links)
This study sought to ascertain the role that is played by traditional healers in healthcare delivery among the Nguni people of South Africa. Its objective is to ascertain who the traditional healers are, how they are trained for the profession, how they practice their profession including how people consult with them, how they gather information relevant to identify the problems of their clients, what interventions are put in place once health problems have are identified and generally the role traditional healers play in the wellbeing and upliftment of living conditions of their communities. Three traditional healers were interviewed and observed, generating important information for the study. The study found out that traditional healers are respected traditional or community leaders whose main contribution to the community is practicing healthcare delivery by which they bring well-being to the generality of the people. Traditional healers are called to their profession by their ancestors. The training of traditional healers is by apprenticeship with experienced renowned traditional healers and the training takes place between two and six years. Training takes place in the skills of diagnosis or the gathering of information, through observation, interviews, divination and the interpretation of dreams to arrive at a decision as to the probable healthcare needs or health problems of patients. Traditional healers are generally trained to be capable of identifying different kinds of problems affecting people, whether these be physical, mental or interpersonal relationship problems. Training in skills to intervene in health matters are provided including herbal medication, interpersonal interactions and as in group healing or ritual ceremonies as well as training in the skills of prevention of ill-health and promotion of health. Other skills in which traditional healers are trained include those of advocacy, mobilization and being custodians of the people's traditional culture. Traditional healers are generally trusted for their competency and the efficacy of their intervention strategies and this explains the reason for the people's generally positive behaviour tendency towards the utilization of traditional healer's services. Traditional healers generally bring about well- being to the people in their communities. / Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.
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An investigation into the effects of Sutherlandia Frutescens, L-Canavanine and aflatoxin B1 in the HepG2 human hepatocarcinoma cell line.Pillay, Evashin. January 2008 (has links)
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a potent hepatotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic mycotoxin synthesised by
toxigenic fungi (Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus), is a common contaminant of
many cereal commodities consequently posing a major threat to human and animal health.
Sutherlandia frutescens (SF), a traditional medicinal plant endemic to Southern Africa, is
commonly used by many cultures as a tonic for various health-related conditions. Incidentally,
the present study aimed at investigating the potential hepatoprotective capacity of SF and L-canavanine
(L-can, a major constituent of SF) against AFB1-induced cytotoxicity in human
HepG2 cells and used a standard treatment procedure of 24 h. Cell viability was evaluated
using the methyl thiazol tetrazolium (MIT) assay, which effectively demonstrated the ability
of SF, when administered individually and in combination with AFB1, to be significantly
cytotoxic to HepG2 cells in a dose-dependant manner. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and
consequent peroxidative damage caused by AFB1 are considered to be the main mechanisms
leading to hepatotoxicity and was confirmed by the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances
(TBARS) assay which revealed that AFB1 mediated a significant increase in lipid peroxidation.
Additionally, comet assay analysis demonstrated the most pronounced effect to be observed
following administration of AFB1. In contrast, AFB1-mediated genotoxicity was significantly
reduced by SF and L-can. Such amelioration can be attributed to the marked increases in
glutathione (OSH) levels observed after the co-administration of SF and L-can with AFB1.
Cytoprotection by SF and L-can against AFB1-induced toxicity was further substantiated by
the significant increases in heat shock protein 70 expression. Moreover, when SF and L-can
were co-administered along with AFB1, analysis by flow cytometry revealed that AFB1 induced
increases in apoptosis and necrosis were reduced. The findings of this study propose
that SF and L-can may be selectively effective in alleviating AFB1-induced cytotoxicity and
lends pharmacological credibility to the suggested ethnomedical uses of SF. However, the
exact mechanism of action and the extracts efficacy in humans requires further authentication. / Thesis (M.Med.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.
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An assessment of deterioration of colour vision, contrast sensitivity and phorias as a result of hypoxia in persons resident at altitudeMacFarlane, Campbell. January 2003 (has links)
Thesis (MSc.(Aerospace Medicine)--Faculty of Health Sciences)-University of Pretoria, 2003.
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In vitro evaluation of antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of olea europaea subsp. africana and euryops brevipapposus used by Cala community folkloric medicine for the management of infections associated with chronic non-communicable diseasesAdegborioye, Abiodun January 2016 (has links)
Chronic non-communicable diseses are a global public health challenge that continuously threatens the development and health of humans. Risk factors such as unbalanced diet-the high consumption of processed food or food from animal origin are responsible for NCDs. NCDs result in weakened immune system, making the host susceptible to opportunistic infections. Thus, the NCDs burden is most times chronic and multiple with the illness and suffering of the affected person numerous. The lack of cure for NCDs, the high cost of drugs, their high side-effects, and the emergence of multiple drug resistance has given rise to the investigation of other sources for therapeutic cure such as medicinal plants. The ethanol, n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of Olea europaea were analysed for their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The essential oil was also analysed for their chemical constituents. The n-hexane extracts of O. europaea exhibited no inhibition against all of the microorganisms tested, while the ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts exhibited inhibition, with minimum inhibitory concentration values between 0.625 mg/ml to 1.25 mg/ml. The ethanol leaf and ethyl acetate stem extracts exhibited significant activity in the inhibition of 2, 2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazolin - 6-sulfonic acid diammonium salt (ABTS) free radical, the n-hexane leaf extract had the overall significant lipid peroxidation inhibition activity, while in the inhibition of 2, 2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), the ethanol and ethyl acetate leaf extracts had strong activity. Nonanal, phytol, α-Pinene, α-Phellandrene, spatulenol and farnesol were some of chemical components identified after the GC-MS analysis of O. europaea oil. In the final part of the dissertation, Euryops brevipapposus essential oil was assessed for the antioxidant activities using free radical scavenging assays. In addition to this, the antimicrobial activities were assessed and the chemical composition was analysed using GC-MS. The essential oil demonstrated significant antioxidant activity against 2, 2-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl free radical (DPPH), 2, 2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and lipid peroxides with IC50 value of 0.0000000671 mg/ml, 1.05 mg/ml, and 1.170 mg/ml respectively. The essential oil also showed significant activity against all microorganisms tested with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values between 0.055 mg/ml to 0.5 mg/ml. α-pinene, α- Phellandrene, germacrene D, β-pinene, trans- β.-Ocimene, bicyclogermacrene and β -Phellandrene were some of the chemical compounds identified in E. brevipapposus oil. The study has shown that E. brevipapposus and O. europaea are abundant in phytochemical compounds which were thought to be the root cause for the activities demonstrated. Therefore, these therapeutic properties observed validate and elucidate the traditional usage of the both plants in the treatment /management of diseases.
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The perception of pharmacists regarding the role of complementary medicine in the context of health care in South AfricaDaphne, Antoinette January 1997 (has links)
Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Technikon Natal, 1997. / The aim of this study was to assess pharmacists' perception of complementary medicine in the health care system of South Africa / M
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The perceptions of medical practitioners with regard to complementary medicine in health care in South AfricaSukdev, Reena January 1998 (has links)
Dissertation submitted inpartial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Technikon Natal, 1998. / The aim of this investigation was to determine the perception of medical practitioners with regard to complementary medicine in health care in South Africa. This involved establishing medical practitioners attitude, as well as their experience and knowledge of complementary medicine: homeopathy, chiropractic, acupuncture, ayurvedic medicine, herbalism, reflexology, aromatherapy and osteopathy / M
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Strategies to facilitate collaboration between allopathic and traditional health practitionersTembani, Nomazwi Maudline January 2009 (has links)
The formal recognition of traditional healing has been controversial for some time with traditional healers being labelled by those of conventional medical orientation as a medical hazard and purveyors of superstition. The support for the development of traditional medicine and establishment of co-operation between traditional healers and allopathic heath practitioners was first promoted in the international health arena by the World Health Organisation. Estimating that 80% of the population living in rural areas of many developing countries was using traditional medicine for the primary healthcare needs, this organisation advocated for the establishment of mechanisms that would facilitate strong cooperation between traditional healers, scientists and clinicians. The study was undertaken in the Amathole District Municipality, Province of the Eastern Cape based on Chapter 2, Section 6(2) (a) of the Traditional Health Practitioners Bill 2003, which required regulation and promotion of liaison between traditional health practitioners and other health professionals registered under any law. The purpose of the study was to develop and propose strategies to facilitate collaboration between traditional and allopathic health practitioners to optimise and complement healthcare delivery. The conceptual framework guiding the study was derived from Leininger’s theory of Cultural Care Diversity and Universality chosen because of its appropriateness. The terms used throughout the study were defined to facilitate the reader’s understanding. Ethical principles were adhered to throughout the research process. To ensure trustworthiness of the study, Guba’s model (in Krefting,1991:214-215) was used where the four aspects of trustworthiness namely, truth value, applicability, consistency and neutrality were considered. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design was used which assisted in articulating the appropriate strategies to develop to facilitate v collaboration between allopathic and traditional health practitioners. The study was done in two phases. Phase one entailed data collection using unstructured interviews, a focus group interview, literature control and modified participant observation. In Phase two strategies to facilitate collaboration between allopathic and traditional health practitioners were developed. The population in this study comprised three groups of participants. Group 1 consisted of allopathic health practitioners, Group 2 comprised traditional healers and Group 3 was composed of participants who were trained as both traditional healers and allopathic health practitioners. All participants had to respond to three research questions which aimed at: exploring and describing the nature of the relationship between allopathic and traditional health practitioners before legalisation of traditional healing and their experience as role-players in the healthcare delivery landscape in the Amathole District Municipality. eliciting the viewpoints of allopathic and traditional health practitioners regarding the impact on their practices of legalisation of traditional healing and developing strategies to facilitate collaboration between allopathic and traditional health practitioners. Data obtained from each group was analysed using Tesch’s method as described by Creswell (2003:192). Themes emerging from data and the corresponding strategies to address the themes were identified for each group. The participants’ responses to the three research questions revealed areas of convergence and divergence. Of significance was the reflection by the participants on their negative attitude towards each other. They also highlighted that there was no formal interaction between traditional and allopathic health practitioners in the Amathole District Municipality. Their working relationship was characterised by a one-sided referral system with traditional healers referring patients to allopathic health practitioners but this seemed not to be reciprocated vi by the latter group. The exception was the case of traditional surgeons whose working relationship with allopathic health practitioners was formally outlined in the Application of Health Standards in the Traditional Circumcision Act, Act No.6 of 2001. Allopathic health practitioners attributed their negative attitude as emanating from the unscientific methods used by traditional healers in treating patients, interference of traditional healers with the efficacy of hospital treatments and delays by traditional healers in referring patients to the hospitals and clinics. Traditional healers stated that they were concerned about failure of allopathic health practitioners to refer patients who talked about “thikoloshe” and “mafufunyana” to the traditional healers. Consequently, these patients presented themselves to the traditional healers when the illness was at an advanced stage. A reciprocal referral system was perceived by the traditional healers as the core element or crux of collaboration. There were ambivalent views regarding the impact of legalisation of traditional healing on the practices of both traditional and allopathic health practitioners. Elimination of unscrupulous healers, economic benefits, and occupational protection were benefits anticipated by traditional healers from the implementation of the Act. The possibility of having to divulge information regarding their traditional medicines, monitoring of their practice resulting in arrests should errors occur were however, cited by traditional healers as threatening elements of the Act. A lack of understanding the activities of each group with an inherent element of mistrust became evident from the participants’ responses. Ways of fostering mutual understanding between them were suggested which included holding meetings together to discuss issues relating to healing of patients, exposing both groups of health practitioners to research, as well as training and development activities. The participants also highlighted areas of collaboration as sharing resources namely, budget, physical facilities, equipment and information and role clarification especially pertaining to disease management. The participants vii strongly suggested that there should be clarity on the type of diseases to be handled by each group. The need for capacity building of traditional and allopathic health practitioners in preparation for facilitating collaboration was advocated by all and the relevant activities to engage into were suggested. Analysis, synthesis and cross referencing of the themes that emerged from the data culminated in the identification of three strategies that were applicable to all groups of participants and which would assist in facilitating collaboration between allopathic and traditional health practitioners. The researcher coined the three strategies “Triple C” strategies abbreviated as the TRIC strategies. The first “C” of the three “Cs” stands for “change attitude”, the second “C” for “communication” and the third “C” for “capacity building.” Each of the proposed three strategies is discussed under the following headings:- Summary of findings informing the strategy Theory articulating the strategy Aim of the strategy Suggested implementation mechanism As the strategies had to be grounded in a theory which would serve as a reference point, the researcher used the Survey List by Dickoff, James and Wiedenbach (1968:423) as a conceptual framework on which to base the proposed three strategies. The results of this study and recommendations that have been made will be disseminated in professional journals, research conferences and seminars.
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The medical profession in a transforming South Africa society : ideals, values and roleMahlati, Malixole Percival 04 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / Some digitised pages may appear illegible due to the condition of the original hard copy. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Medicine in our country is under severe stress, brought about by internal and external
forces that need a response from the medical profession. The profession's attempts and
response will fall short unless the profession itself is aligned with the new social ethos and
the responses are based on the profession's inherent values.
Problem Statement:
Medical doctors have always been highly valued in society because of the duty they have
when illness and disease set in. As individuals, doctors have fulfilled other important roles
in the communities where they work. These include giving advice to young people on
career choices, counseling on various matters and provision of material help where there is
need. This profession has for a long time been shrouded in mystery, being a trade learnt by
a few. All these factors contributed to their social standing increasing phenomenally.
There is a view that this has also led to public perceptions that doctors are the rich
untouchable elite who have no interest or are unconcerned about problems faced by
society. The medical profession faces a challenge that is more significant because of the
value placed on it by society. The numerous submissions by the victims of human rights
abuses to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission have cast a shadow of doubt on the
medical profession for its complicity in these acts. The present government has declared
transformation of health care as one of its top priorities. The response of the medical
profession to this initiative has so far not led to any significant changes of public
perception that the profession is unwilling to participate in the transformation of our
society.
The challenge and subject of discussion in this thesis therefore is:
"What is the ideal role of the medical profession in a transforming South African
society?"
The medical profession, being the nerve centre of health care, has a big responsibility in
social transformation. Doctors stand accused as a collective for failing to protect the
human rights of patients and not living up to the standards of ethics required of them when patients' rights were violated. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission record of the
hearings into the role of the professional organisations in health is used in this thesis to
illustrate how serious society views the medical profession's role in the human rights
abuses of the past.
Based on the T. R. C's report and the assumption that society traditionally places high
value on the medical profession, I conducted a survey among South African doctors to test
their attitudes towards a range of policy and transformational issues. The unit of analysis
was the medical doctors who are in active practice in South Africa in whatever mode of
practice. The survey sought to explore the awareness of the respondents about a range of
transformation policy changes and invite their comments on the role that they envisage for
the medical profession in the process of transformation of society. There is unfortunately
scarcity or a lack of applicable South African literature on this topic thus limiting local
material for referencing. The search of international literature only yielded the subject of
the study of professional values and not necessarily the role of a medical profession in a
transforming society.
The medical profession has to re-visit its foundations, analyse its history and map out its
future in the context of the South African realities. It must find a way of aligning itself
with the new ethos and diverse cultures South Africa possesses. Medicine has its own
traditional goals and values derived and adapted from society's diverse cultural value
systems. With its national and international networks, the inherent knowledge and skills
that it possesses, guided by an ethical code, the Hippocratic Oath that serves as a public
promise, it influences policy on the country's health care system - a mechanism that
government uses to provide a basic human need.
The medical profession therefore has to be responsive to the needs of society as much as
society needs to support the profession. This thesis explores the role that the profession
should play in a transforming South African society. The argument is that this can only be
done through the profession examining its values and aligning itself with broader societal
value systems, the moral and social norms. It is further argued that visible realistic
commitment by the profession to public health will lead to an improvement in its public
image. It is the actions or non-actions of the majority that the public notices. The majority
of respondents to the survey have indicated that they approve of the transformation
policies in health but that they may differ in the way they were introduced. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die geneeskunde in ons land is onder geweldige druk as gevolg van interne en eksterne
faktore en dit is nodig dat die mediese beroep reageer. Dit sal die beroep egter nie help
om te reageer indien sy lede hulle nie met die nuwe maatskaplike etos vereenselwig nie en
die reaksie op die inherente waardes van die mediese beroep geskoei word nie.
Probleemstelling
Mediese dokters is nog altyd baie hoog geag deur die gemeenskap as gevolg van die
verpligting wat hulle het om na mense om te sien wanneer hulle siek word. In hulle
individuele hoedanigheid het dokters ook ander belangrike bydraes tot hulle
gemeenskappe gelewer. Dit sluit in: advies aan jong mense oor loopbaankeuses, berading
en die verskaffing van finansiele hulp waar nodig. Die beroep as sulks was egter vir baie
lank ietwat van 'n misterie omdat dit 'n vakrigting is waarin baie min mense hulle kon
bekwaam. Al hierdie faktore het die maatskaplike aansien/waarde van dokters geweldig
verhoog. Daar is ook diegene wat van mening is dat hierdie faktore aanleiding gegee het
tot die openbare mening dat dokters 'n ryk en onaantasbare elite is en glad nie in die
probleme van die gemeenskap belangstel nie. Die etlike voorleggings deur die slagoffers
van menseregtevergrype aan die Waarheids- en Versoeningskommissie het ook vrae
rondom die beroep se betrokkenheid by sodanige gevalle laat ontstaan. Die huidige
regering het die transformasie van gesondheidsorg as een van sy grootste prioriteite
verklaar. Die reaksie van die beroep hierop het tot dusver nie tot enige noemenswaardige
veranderinge in die openbare mening dat dokters nie bereid is om aan die transformasie
van ons gemeenskap deel te neem gelei nie.
Wat is die ideale rol van die mediese beroep in die transformasie van die Suid-
Afrikaanse gemeenskap?
As die senusentrum van gesondheidsorg het die mediese beroep 'n groot
verantwoordelikheid in maatskaplike transformasie. Dokters word kollektief beskuldig
dat hulle nagelaat het om die menseregte van pasiente te beskerm en nie voldoen het aan
die nodige etiese standaarde wat van hulle verwag word in die tyd toe pasienteregte
geskend is nie. Die rekord van die verhore van die Waarheids- en Versoeningskommissie
oor die rol van professionele gesondheidsorganisasies is vir die doeleindes van hierdie
tesis gebruik om te illustreer hoe ernstig die gemeenskap voeloor die mediese beroep se
rol in die menseregte vergrype van die verlede.
Gegrond op die WVK-verslag en die aanname dat die gemeenskap die mediese beroep
hoog ag, het ek 'n meningsopname onder 300 Suid-Afrikaanse dokters gedoen om hulle
houding jeens 'n aantal beleids- en transformasiekwessies te toets. Die eenheid van
analise was mediese dokters wat in die aktiewe praktyk staan, ongeag hulle praktykgebied.
Die opname het gepoog om te bepaal wat die vlak van bewustheid by die respondente oor
'n aantal beleidsveranderinge gerig op transformasie is, en hulle uit te nooi om
kommentaar te lewer op die rol wat hulle meen die mediese beroep behoort in die proses
te speel. Ongelukkig is daar nie toepaslike Suid-Afrikaanse literatuur oor die onderwerp
beskikbaar me. 'n Internasionale literatuursoektog het net studies rondom waardes
opgelewer, en nie oor die rol van 'n mediese beroep in die transformasie van 'n
gemeenskap nie.
Die mediese beroep moet die grondslag van sy wese in oenskou neem, die geskiedenis
analiseer en sy toekoms in die konteks van die Suid-Afrikaanse realiteite uitstippel. Die
beroep moet 'n manier vind om homself met die nuwe etos en uiteenlopende kulture van
Suid-Afrika te vereenselwig. Die geneeskunde het sy eie tradisionele doelwitte en waardes
gekry en aangepas vanuit die uiteenlopende kulturele waardestelsels van die gemeenskap.
Deur middel van sy nasionale en internasionale netwerke, inherente kennis en
vaardighede, die leiding van 'n etiese kode, die Eed van Hippokrates wat as 'n belofte aan
die publiek dien, beinvloed die mediese beroep die land se gesondheidsorgstelsel - 'n
meganisme van die regering om in 'n basiese menslike behoefte te voorsien.
Die mediese beroep moet daarom ingestel wees op die behoeftes van die gemeenskap in
dieselfde mate as wat die gemeenskap die beroep behoort te ondersteun. Hierdie tesis
ondersoek die rol wat die mediese beroep behoort te vervul in 'n Suid-Afrikaanse
gemeenskap waar transformasie besig is om plaas te vind. Daar word geargumenteer dat
dit net gedoen kan word indien die beroep sy waardes ondersoek en hom met die breer
maatskaplike waardestelsels vereenselwig. Daar word verder geargumenteer dat 'n
sigbare realistiese verbintenis van die mediese beroep tot openbare gesondheid tot die
verbetering van sy openbare beeld sal lei. Dit is die optrede of nie-optrede van die
meerderheid wat die publiek raaksien. Die meerderheid respondente in die
meningsopname het aangedui dat hulle die transformasiebeleid vir gesondheid ondersteun,
maar dat hulle verskil van die wyse waarop dit in werking gestel is.
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