M.Tech. / On several occasions since the 1994 elections, the South African Department of Health has committed itself to establish appropriate and practical mechanisms for the integration of complementary practitioners and therapies into the National Health System. Although Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM) are already used mainly by the higher socio economic groups, Homoeopathy is considered well suited for use in developing countries where the adequate infrastructure, equipment and medicines needed for conventional treatment can not always be provided. There is currently no market-related research available on the awareness or usage of homoeopathy or homoeopathic medicines amongst the lower income groups, those most reliant on the public health care system. To rectify these issues, comprehensive market research needs to done amongst the lower socio-economic groups to determine their levels of awareness of homoeopathy, and if awareness exists, what their level of use is. Well developed, appropriate marketing strategies could lead to commercial expansion into this undeveloped area and the possible inclusion of services and medicines in the public health care system. This study formed part of a three-part study investigating the current public perceptions towards Homoeopathy in South Africa. The research was conducted in the form of a door-to-door survey using a questionnaire. The independent market research company, Research Surveys (Pty) Limited, under the supervision of the researcher, conducted the surveys. The total sample group for all three studies consisted of 2000 respondent interviews conducted in the seven major metropolitan areas of South Africa. These included Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein, East London and Port Elizabeth. A total of 1260 Black, 385 White, 240 Coloured and 115 Indian interviews were conducted Sixty three percent of the sample group fell into L.S.M. Groups 2 to 6. This amounts to a total of 1200 respondents. After analysing and discussing the results of the surveys it can be concluded that the consumers from L.S.M. Groups 2 to 6 have a very low level of awareness of homoeopathy, especially when compared to L.S.M. Groups 7 to 10. In general the consumers from this group perceive homoeopaths to be well trained and homoeopathic medicines effective but will still rather consult a medical doctor about certain illnesses. It appears that consumers from this group are not likely to see a homoeopath in the future but would like to see it as a treatment option in provincial hospitals. The lack of interest to see a homoeopath in the future does not seem to be associated with a perceived high cost of consultations.

Dr. A.J. Ford Dr. R. Razlog

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M.Tech. / The study was aimed at determining the efficacy of the homoeopathic simillimum in the treatment of endometriosis. Endometriosis may be defined as the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity and is often associated with severe pain and infertility. The homoeopathic simillimum is the single remedy prescribed that most closely matches the symptoms presented by the participant. Symptoms from the physical, mental and emotional plane are taken into account when prescribing the simillimum remedy. The ten participants taking part in the study were evaluated at monthly intervals over a period of four months. The participants were assessed on different levels including mental, physical and emotional and the homoeopathic remedies were individually prescribed for each participant. Participants were required to record all symptoms experienced on a daily basis and report back at the monthly evaluation. The results of the daily evaluation and the observations, made by the researcher at each monthly visit, enabled the researcher to determine the efficacy of the homoeopathic treatment. The results of the daily evaluations were statistically analysed using the Analysis of Variance technique and the Chi-squared statistic to test for associations. The study showed a statistically significant improvement in the amount of bleeding, constipation, depression, diarrhoea, nausea and pelvic pain experienced by the participants and a not statistically significant improvement was shown for well-being, vomiting, dysmenorrhoea and dyspareunia. The women taking part in the study felt there was an improvement in the majority of symptoms associated with endometriosis. Therefore, the homoeopathic simillimum has proved benefit

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M.Dip.Tech. / Functional leg length discrepancies, as distinct from anatomical discrepancies, are often associated with sacroiliac joint dysfunction. This may result in back pain and discomfort. Chiropractors usually treat this condition using a side posture sacroiliac adjustment, but in some cases, an adjustment may not be indicated. This study aims to determine whether a Modified General Hip technique would be an acceptable alternative treatment. For this study, 30 patients who suffered from both the sacroiliac joint dysfunction and leg length discrepancy were chosen. They were treated using two differing chiropractic techniques on the sacroiliac joint: the side posture technique conventionally used to adjust _the sacroiliac joints, and a mobilisation and muscle stretch technique modified from the General Hip technique. Each patient was evaluated by a case history, lumbar and pelvic regional examination, and a pertinent physical examination...