No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

This study aimed at investigating the knowledge, perceptions and attitudes of both the community and traditional healers with regard to the diagnosis and treatment of malaria in KwaZulu Natal with special reference to Ndumu in the magisterial district of Ingwavuma. Ingwavuma is one of the two northern magisterial district of KwaZulu Natal Province which is regarded as the highest malaria risk district in South Africa as a whole. The area has a warm temperature, 27-32°C, which is favourable for the development of the Anopheles mosquito. The factors predisposing the community to malaria infections were the socio-economic status of the area which is characterised by poverty. unemployment, poor housing and illiteracy, cross border migration, drug resistance, the agricultural development and irrigation scheme. Efficient control measures like house spraying a residual insecticide to control malaria vector mosquitoes, passive surveillance and active case detection with definitive diagnosis and treatment in place to prevent and control the upsurge of the disease The objectives of the study were to ascertain the knowledge. attitudes and perceptions of traditional healers in regard to malaria diagnosis and treatment and that of the community in relation to malaria treatment and diagnosis by traditional healers. The ultimate objective was to identify possible forms of collaboration between the traditional and the modern health services. The study was conducted from sections 2 - 10 of Ndumu where the population was 13 047 and 1300 households. A random sample of 173 respondents from the community and 70 traditional healers were selected for interview. Qualitative and quantitative methodologies were used in order to collect numerical and descriptive information. Data was collected using semi- structured questions and two sets were made: for traditional healers and the community. The study showed that the community was well aware of the signs of malaria but their knowledge was not supported by definitive testing and diagnosis of the condition. It came out that there are forms of health services available at grass root levels for example. self - help. where an individual tried on his own to combat he offending symptoms of the disease, family support systems, where family members especially the elder member gave support and assisted during the times of ill-health, the use of traditional healers, the malaria control camp, clinics and the hospital. The community supported the idea of collaboration between healers and the malaria control team and expressed their willingness to attend the services of a trained healer. Traditional healers confirmed the fact that some community members utilize traditional healers services and also expressed their wish to see the two forms of health services working together to control malaria. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2000.

This thesis is about the history of the muthi trade (the African traditional medicine trade) since it was introduced to Durban. "D'Urbanised Tradition" refers to the way the tradition surrounding muthi was urbanised in Durban, and how it has been viewed as a 'de-urbanising' element in the city. The thesis deals with the changes, over the past 100 years, to the tradition of muthi trading that were brought about both by actors 'within' the trade - what I refer to as 'restructuring of tradition' - and by interventions from 'external' forces (the state, the biomedical lobby and the conservationist lobby) - what I have termed 'the development of tradition'. Whereas many studies present (Zulu) tradition as something static, this study of "D'Urbanised tradition" focuses on change and process - why and how these changes to tradition have occurred. It comprises an analysis of how the dialectic between change and continuity within the muthi trade has been negotiated by strategic actors throughout the twentieth century. Emphasis is on the economic and political potentials of tradition and traditional medicine, and focus will be on changes in the muthi trade in Durban, using the Russell Street Muthi Market in the 1990s as a case study. Although 'restructuring' and 'development' are kept separate in this thesis, they denote interrelated processes whereby active agents strategically use tradition to achieve their ends. It is argued that the traditions surrounding muthi have been manipulated both as economic as well as political tools by the various vested interests in the trade. The thesis deals with one of the largest and most important sectors of South Africa's informal economy, and provides a historical analysis and case study of the strategies used by both traders and outside institutions involved in the trade. This is done by using the paradigm of 'tradition'. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1999.

M.Cur. (Intensive General Nursing) / Knowledge and technological advancement in the field of transplantation has increased the demand for organ donation. However, the supply of organs does not meet this demand, especially, among the black communities. Literature reviewed associate this imbalance with the few sources of organs, the technique of organ retrieval, discrepancies in the allocation of organs and sociocultural factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent to which the Zulu cultural norms and social structural dimensions influence an individual's decision to donate an organ or to undergo a transplantation, based on the theoretical assumptions of Leininger and Chrisman. A qualitative approach using an ethno- nursing method was selected, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the transplant co-ordinator representing the professional sector, the religious leaders and traditional healers representing the folk sector and the general public representing the popular sector of the health care system. The respondents were extracted from both the urban and rural settings. The conclusions arrived at were that there is lack of knowledge among the Zulu speaking people on organ donation and transplantation, related mainly to misconceptions associated with their life patterns, beliefs about death, burial and life hereafter, values and social structural dimensions. The recommendations with regard to the promotion of organ donation and transplantation among the Zulu speaking people were made based on culture sensitive and culture congruent principles, namely: • Cultural care preservative or maintenance such as ancestor worship, extended families etc. • Cultural care accommodation or negotiation such as their knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the human body especially the transplantable organs and their fear to discuss death, etc. • Cultural care repatterning and restructuring such as culture sensitive educational campaigns to dispel the fears and correct misconceptions.