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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Utilization of traditional healers in South Africa and costs to patients: Findings from a national household survey
Journal of Public Health Policy, Volume 32, No. SUPPL. 1, Year 2011
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Description
The use of traditional medicine is widespread in developing countries. We report on the utilization of traditional healers, using data obtained in a 2008 national survey of 4762 households in South Africa. Only 1.2 per cent of survey participants reported utilization of traditional healers. Respondents reasons for visiting traditional healers included continuity of care and a belief in their effectiveness. Traditional healer utilization rates (0.02 visits per month) were considerably lower compared to utilization rates of public sector clinics (0.18 visits per month) or hospitals (0.09 visits per month). Almost three-quarters of the poorest quintile spent more than 10 per cent of their household expenditure in the previous month on traditional healers. Given the use of two parallel health-care systems, policy-makers should develop strategies to protect poor South Africans from out-of-pocket payments for health care. Simultaneous utilization of these systems evidently absorbs expenditure from low-income households significantly. © 2011 Macmillan Publishers Ltd.
Authors & Co-Authors
Nxumalo, Nonhlanhla Lynette
South Africa, Johannesburg
University of the Witwatersrand
Alaba, Olufunke A.
South Africa, Cape Town
University of Cape Town
Harris, Bronwyn
South Africa, Johannesburg
University of the Witwatersrand
Chersich, Matthew Francis
South Africa, Johannesburg
University of the Witwatersrand
Goudge, Jane
South Africa, Johannesburg
University of the Witwatersrand
Statistics
Citations: 114
Authors: 5
Affiliations: 2
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1057/jphp.2011.26
ISSN:
01975897
e-ISSN:
1745655X
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
South Africa