The Cultural and Community-Level Acceptance of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Among Traditional Healers in Eastern Cape, South Africa

Abstract Background Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is associated with a reduction of postnatal HIV transmission and optimal infant growth. Given that the factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding are multi-factorial and context-specific, we examined the prevalence and factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practice in the first 6 months among mothers on antiretroviral therapy in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted between January to May 2018, on 469 parturient women enlisted in the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission cohort study in the Eastern Cape. Mothers were asked to recall whether they breastfed their infant exclusively with breast milk from birth and if so, to state how long they did. We collected relevant sociodemographic, lifestyle, and maternal information by interview. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were fitted to determine the sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practice. Results The prevalence of six-month exclusive breastfeeding, measured since birth, was 32.0%. E Exclusive breastfeeding’s prevalence was significantly higher among married women (36.8%), unemployed women (36.6%), non-smokers (32.7%), and those who never drank alcohol (37.0%). Unemployed women (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.66, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.08–2.56) and those with grade 12 or less level of education (AOR 2.76, 95% CI 1.02–7.49) had a higher likelihood of practising EBF for 6 months since birth while mothers who consumed alcohol (AOR 0.54, 95% CI 0.34–0.85) were less likely to practice EBF for 6 months. Conclusions The prevalence of six-month exclusive breastfeeding in the study, although comparable with sub-Saharan Africa and worldwide prevalence, remains suboptimal. Advocacy campaigns on EBF must target alcohol cessation and the creation of a favourable workplace environment for lactating mothers.

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Medicinal Plants Used for the Traditional Management of Diabetes in the Eastern Cape, South Africa: Pharmacology and Toxicology

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules23112759 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 23 (11) ◽

pp. 2759 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Samuel Odeyemi ◽

Graeme Bradley

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Medicinal Plants ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Traditional Healers ◽

Bioactive Molecules ◽

Eastern Cape ◽

Insulin Mimetic ◽

Almost All

The use of medicinal plants for the management of diabetes mellitus is on the rise in the developing countries, including South Africa. There is increasing scientific evidence that supports the claims by the traditional healers. In this review, we compare the families of previously reported anti-diabetic plants in the Eastern Cape by rating the anti-diabetic activity, mode of action and also highlight their therapeutic potentials based on the available evidence on their pharmacology and toxicity. Forty-five plants mentioned in ethnobotanical surveys were subjected to a comprehensive literature search in the available electronic databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and Elsevier, by using “plant name” and “family” as the keywords for the primary searches to determine the plants that have been scientifically investigated for anti-diabetic activity. The search returned 25 families with Asteraceae highly reported, followed by Asphodelaceae and Alliaceae. Most of the plants have been studied for their anti-diabetic potentials in vivo and/or in vitro, with most of the plants having a higher percentage of insulin release and inhibition against carbohydrate digesting enzymes as compared with insulin mimetic and peripheral glucose uptake. Almost all the investigated plants also inhibit oxidative stress as part of their hypoglycemic activity with less toxicity. However, the isolation of their bioactive molecules is still lacking. This review provides a resource to enable thorough assessments of the therapeutic profiles of available medicinal plants used for the management of diabetes in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Further studies such as the identification of the active ingredients of potent plants still need to be carried out; this may lead to new molecules in drug discovery and development.

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Sociodemographic and lifestyle correlates of exclusive breastfeeding practices among mothers on antiretroviral therapy in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

10.21203/rs.3.rs-40582/v4 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Daniel Ter Goon ◽

Anthony Idowu Ajayi ◽

Oladele Vincent Adeniyi

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

Exclusive Breastfeeding ◽

Hiv Transmission ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Eastern Cape ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Breastfeeding Practice

Abstract Background: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is associated with a reduction of postnatal HIV transmission and optimal infant growth. Given that the factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding are multi-factorial and context-specific, we examined the prevalence and factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practice in the first six months among mothers on antiretroviral therapy in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between January – May 2018 on 469 parturient women enlisted in the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission cohort study in the Eastern Cape. Mothers were asked to recall whether they breastfed their infant exclusively with breast milk from birth and if so, to state how long they did. We collected relevant sociodemographic, lifestyle, and maternal information by interview. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were fitted to determine the sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practice.Results: The prevalence of six-month exclusive breastfeeding, measured since birth, was 32.0%. EBF’s prevalence was significantly higher among married women (36.8%), unemployed women (36.6%), non-smokers (32.7%), and those who never drank alcohol (37.0%). Unemployed women [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.66, 95% Confidence Interval CI), 1.08-2.56] and those with grade 12 or less level of education (AOR =2.76, 95% CI, 1.02-7.49) had a higher likelihood of practising EBF for six months since birth while mothers who consumed alcohol (AOR = 0.54, 95% CI, 0.34-0.85) were less likely to practice EBF for six months. Conclusions: The prevalence of six-month exclusive breastfeeding in the study, although comparable with sub-Saharan Africa and worldwide prevalence, remains suboptimal. Advocacy campaigns on EBF must target alcohol cessation and the creation of a favourable workplace environment for lactating mothers.

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Pluralistic Tendencies in Healing Abantu Illness in the Contemporary South Africa

Data Analytics in Medicine ◽

10.4018/978-1-7998-1204-3.ch051 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 986-1005

Author(s):

Kholekile Hazel Ngqila

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Traditional Healers ◽

Causal Link ◽

Ethnographic Study ◽

The Body ◽

Ethnographic Research ◽

Eastern Cape ◽

Socially Constructed ◽

Biomedical Practitioners ◽

Social Causes

Ukuhanjwa illness was used as an example to understanding abantu illnesses. With attributional theory ukuhanjwa illness is attributed to spiritual and social causes rather than biomedical causes, whereby causal link is socially constructed between ukuhanjwa illness and entry into the body by familiars. Issues explored included conceptualisation of ukuhanjwa illness. The focus of the chapter is on the reasons for continued pluralistic tendencies in healing regardless of the expectation by the West that people should be focusing on the use of the fast evolving biomedical healing methods. The ethnographic study took place among the Southern Nguni people of OR Tambo District Municipality (ORTDM) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Data was collected using qualitative and ethnographic research methods amongst a sample group of 50 participants. The sample was composed of traditional healers, mothers of children who have experienced ukuhanjwa illness, elderly people (male and female), biomedical practitioners and nurses.

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Level and determinants of postpartum adherence to antiretroviral therapy in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0229592 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. e0229592 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Oladele Vincent Adeniyi ◽

Anthony Idowu Ajayi

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

Eastern Cape

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Prevalence of Depression among HIV-Positive Adults on Antiretroviral Therapy in O.R. Tambo, Eastern Cape, South Africa: A cross-sectional descriptive study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-33145/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Dlulane Yola Zimasa ◽

Apalata Teke ◽

Dominic Targema Abaver

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

Descriptive Study ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Eastern Cape ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Prevalence Of Depression ◽

Hiv Positive Adults ◽

Hiv Aids

Abstract Background Living with HIV/AIDS is associated with negative emotional and bodily symptoms; however, there is paucity of data on the prevalence and associated factors depression among this population. This study investigate the prevalence and factors contributing to depression among HIV-positive adults on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in O.R. Tambo Eastern Cape, South Africa. Method This cross-sectional descriptive study involved 334 adults receiving ART in the two Community Health Centers in OR Tambo District, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI-II) was used to collect data, in addition to a semi-structured questionnaire on coping mechanism and challenges in seeking help with depressive symptoms. Multiple logistic regression analysis were used to assess the factors associated with depression among the HIV-positive adults. Results The prevalence of depression among the HIV-positive adults receiving ART was 44%, and the majority of the patient’s depression fall within the borderline and moderate threshold. The prevalence of depression was significantly higher among females (71.0%; p < 0.0003) and unemployed (73.0%; p < 0.0014) HIV-positive adults. Participants not benefiting from any form of social grant exhibited higher prevalence of depression (79%). Race (p=0.590), age (p=0.338) and married participants (p=0.511) show no statistical significant association between HIV-positive adults accessing ART and depression. Unadjusted logistic regression model show being female (OR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.23-3.23; p < 0.003) and unemployed (OR =1.73, 95% CI: 1.08-2.77; p < 0.014) were significantly associated with a likelihood of depression. Majority of the participants who could express their feelings of HIV disease and challenges in accessing ART felt more depressed (85%) compared to those who could not express their feelings.Conclusion The rate of depression among HIV/AIDS patients receiving ART is high. Early detection of depression and the challenges associated with accessing treatment and treating would help in improving the compliance to treatment as well as quality of life.

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Factors associated with the practice of exclusive breastfeeding for six months among mothers on antiretroviral therapy in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

10.21203/rs.3.rs-20767/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Daniel Ter Goon ◽

Anthony Idowu Ajayi ◽

OLADELE VINCENT ADENIYI

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

Exclusive Breastfeeding ◽

Tertiary Education ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Eastern Cape ◽

Socioeconomic Indicators ◽

Lifestyle Behaviour ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Level Of Education

Abstract Background: Despite the beneficial health effects of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for infants, the practice of EBF remains low in South Africa, a country burdened with HIV. Given that the factors limiting EBF are multi-factorial and context-specific, we sought to examine the factors influencing EBF practice among mothers on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study of 469 parturient women enlisted in the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission cohort study in the Eastern Cape. A structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant socio-demographic, lifestyle and maternal information. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess associations between socio-demographic, lifestyle factors and EBF.Results: EBF for six months was practised by a few women (32.0%). The prevalence of EBF was significantly higher among married women (36.8%), unemployed women (36.6%), non-smokers (32.7%), and those who never drank alcohol (37.0%). Unemployed women (AOR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.08-2.56) and those with grade 12 or less level of education (AOR =2.76, 95% CI: 1.02-7.49) had a higher likelihood of practising EBF for six months compared to employed women and women who attained tertiary level of education. While mothers who take alcohol (AOR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.34-0.85) were less likely to practice EBF for six months compared to those who never drank alcohol. Conclusions: Factors contributing to the low prevalence of EBF among mothers in this setting are employment, tertiary education and alcohol consumption. Strategies should target these socioeconomic indicators and lifestyle behaviour in the region.

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