Mini-dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for a
Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2013. / The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of
Primary Health Care nurses in the Ethekwini Municipality District regarding the
inclusion of homoeopathy in Primary Health Care. Nurses working in Primary Health
Care facilities were approached to conduct this study.
The objectives of this study was to make nurses and their patients alike aware of an
alternative to conventional medicine, and to the fact that homoeopaths are medically
trained practitioners.
The survey method used was a self-administered questionnaire to investigate the
knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of Primary Health Care nurses towards
homoeopathy. The study population was nurses with a minimum of 3 years of
general nursing experience, working in Primary Health Care in the Ethekwini
Municipality District. The data was collected and analysed statistically using SPSS
version 19.
A total of 205 questionnaires were distributed and a total of 108 (52.68%)
questionnaires were returned with 100 correctly completed and then analysed.
The results reflected that 74% of participants felt that homoeopathy should be made
available at hospitals and clinics. 69% of participants agreed (strongly agreed or
agreed) that homoeopathy should play an active role in the Primary Health Care
system in South Africa. The target group’s attitudes were positive as 58% of
participants said they would personally use homoeopathy as a source of Primary
Health Care. The majority of the participants (71%) felt that homoeopathy should be
available as a treatment for most conditions.
The study demonstrated an otherwise positive trend of support of those Primary
Health Care nurses surveyed toward the possible inclusion of homoeopathy in
Primary Health Care. Further research into the nature of such integration and the
potential contribution of homoeopathy and homoeopathic practitioners is warranted.
This study has established a perceived requirement for Primary Health Care nurses
to be exposed to education programs which may introduce the concepts of CAM,
homoeopathy and its regulations in South Africa. These nurses may then reliably
guide their patients that have a historical use or future need of such services.
Generalisation of results and conclusions regarding the perceptions of Primary
Health Care nurses regarding homoeopathy can be tentative.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:dut/oai:localhost:10321/925 |
| Date | 31 October 2013 |
| Creators | Pillay, Shavani |
| Contributors | Couchman, Ingrid |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 220 p |
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