Abstract

Twenty (20) Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) from Khayelitsha Township in Cape Town were being trained in tuberculosis (TB), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Khayelitsha is among the biggest townships in the City of Cape Town Metro pole. The city is about 30 km south of Cape Town. Based on scientific research articles Khayelitsha has a high prevalence of TB cases. The THPs were randomly selected from different sections of the township after a pre-evaluation workshop. They attended the awareness training once a week for two months amounting to 8 days in total. The Indigenous Knowledge Systems [Health] Lead Programme (IKS) at Medical Research Council (MRC), South African National Tuberculosis Association (SANTA) and People Management Organisation (PMO) conducted the training at the IKS [Health] Lead Programmer’s Resource Centre which is at MRC Delft Community Centre at Brentwood. The centre hosts numbers of activities for community programmes including school outreach programmes and conducts various scientific projects. THPs and the biomedical workers (BMWs) exchange information bases and knowledge levels at the centre. The THPs were being taught about clinical and laboratory diagnosis of TB and its mode of infection at National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) situated at Old City Hospital Complex, Green Point, Cape Town. The purpose of the TB, HIV and AIDS training programme was to increase the awareness on TB, HIV and AIDS and also to train the THPs as TB Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) Supporters. The questionnaire was structured based on three themes and three factors. The themes were as follows: Section A: Particulars of the THP, Section B: Training on TB, HIV and AIDS and Section C: Public Health. The data collected during awareness training workshop was statistically analysed for significance using the statistical analysis system version 9.1. The results showed the importance and need of the TB, HIV and AIDS training programme as the THPs present in the programme felt that policy makers should think of a nationwide programme in this aspect to train all THPs in different regions of the country. It was being felt that successful participation by THPS in these types of awareness trainings would increase their knowledge, improve their practices and assist during consultations with their patients. Subsequently, THPs will be in a position to provide accurate information on TB, HIV and AIDS to their communities and they will utilize the new information and skills in their daily activities. The results of this project indicated that THPs complemented the activities of health providers at the community level and were eager to be trained as TB DOT supporters. This study further indicated that, properly trained THPs could be deployed in hospitals and clinics as TB DOT supporters. The THPs appreciated the training offered and they were keen to participate in public health activities in a meaningful pattern. The training showed no hostility between THPs and BMWs, but willingness to collaborate and learn from each other. It was being recommended that this training should cover a large population of THPs in the country.                      

Key words: Traditional health practitioners, TB, HIV and AIDS, training, TB DOT supporters.