Abstract:
The role of indigenous healers and spiritual faith healers in managing various
conditions of ill-health has been studied and debated. The aim of this study was to
determine how indigenous healers and spiritual faith healers understand and define
HIV/AIDS stigma and to explore the role that indigenous healers and faith healers
play in reducing or reinforcing HIV/AIDS stigma in their communities.
In this study, a qualitative approach and in particular, the grounded theory
methodology was used. Grounded theory is described as a research method in which
theory is developed from data, rather than the other way round. The application of
this methodology included personal interviews with thirty-nine practising indigenous
healers and spiritual faith healers in the Limpopo Province, while additional
information was gleaned from the literature review. The researcher focused on the
participants‟ conceptualisation of HIV stigma, from the context of the African world
view in order to gain insight into their roles as healers.
The findings indicate that indigenous healers‟ cultural beliefs prevented them from
having a deeper understanding of HIV stigma when compared to the faith healers.
Indigenous healers were generally found to have a positive attitude towards People
Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWA), while spiritual faith healers showed a less positive
attitude towards PLWA. The study further found that „HIV secrecy clause‟ contained
in the South African National Policy on HIV/AIDS for Learners and Educators
(August 1999) prevents traditional and spiritual faith healers, the affected and
infected, the family and society at large from disclosing the HIV status of those
infected. It is suggested that the tendency not to disclose has the potential to
encourage stigmatization and discrimination whilst at the same time hindering efforts
to find solutions to the problem. The study is concluded by suggesting that HIV
testing must be compulsory for every person who consults in a hospital. Such a policy
move could contribute positively in terms of health promotion.
