Awareness of diabetes mellitus among African traditional healers in the Nelson Mandela Metropole

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus, a chronic illness, affects approximately 8% of black South Africans. Traditional healers are an integral part of the lifestyle of the African people. Approximately 80% of black patients consult a western doctor only after having consulted a traditional healer, yet traditional healers remain an untapped resource in South Africa. The primary objective of the study was to determine the clinical knowledge pertaining to diabetes mellitus of traditional healers in the Nelson Mandela Metropole (NMM), and to educate the healers on diabetes mellitus through the medium of interactive workshops. Three workshops were held with the healers over a seventeen-month period. The target population consisted of all traditional healers of the NMM interested in participating in the research project. The results obtained indicated that healers of the NMM had a basic knowledge about diabetes and a willingness to learn more about conventional aspects of the disease. At a feedback workshop the healers indicated that they were using the information gained during preceding workshops and that they have begun imparting the knowledge gained to other traditional healers and to their apprentices. A relationship has been established between healers of the NMM and the University of Port Elizabeth (UPE) and Port Elizabeth Technicon.