The use of indigenous knowledge for primary health care among the Northern Sotho in the Limpopo Province

Abstract

An exploratory study was conducted on the ethnomedical aspects of rural communities in the Limpopo Province with emphasis on the use of cultural practices, values and belief systems to meet primary health care needs. The study explored the use of indigenous medical knowledge for remedial, preventive and protective health care. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected through interviews and questionnaire administration with 240 research respondents purposely selected from four communities of the Northern Sotho in the Limpopo Province.

The research findings show that the Northern Sotho culture is composed of a wealth of indigenous knowledge, practices, values and belief systems that were developed by the people themselves with the objective of maintaining good health. The study respondents have extensive experience and knowledge about the elements responsible for much of the diseases that afflict them. For this reason, they have developed cultural belief systems and values that lessen the risks for contracting disease. Susceptibility to disease is lessened by knowledge about cosmological factors, disease etiologies, heeding of cultural taboos, moral behaviour, hygiene, healthy diet, drinking of clean water and proper sanitation and waste removal. Immunization against disease is accomplished through administration of indigenous plant medicines dispensed by traditional health practitioners.

Instances of self-medication were encountered in 18% of the respondents. The respondents apply simple home remedies for prevention and remedial purposes. Treatment is meant for simple ailments such as flu, cough, diarrhea, snakebites, fever, measles and mumps. The medicines administered for self-medication are prepared in the household by the patient, his/her parent or a family member. Traditional health practitioners are consulted for preventive, protective and remedial care by 52% of the respondents and their families. Traditional health practitioners provide holistic remedial care through administration of medicines prepared from the indigenous plant materials such as bulbs, roots, leaves and bark of trees.

The indigenous health care mechanisms of the Northern Sotho address basic elements of primary health care such as fostering self-care and self-reliance, community participation and the use of traditional medical practices for the maintenance of good health. It is recommended that the indigenous knowledge of preventive, protective and remedial care should be incorporated into Primary Health Care Programs to promote the WHO principle that communities should plan and implement their own health care services. Scientific validation of the health benefits derived from the consumption or utilization of medicinal plants should be encouraged.