ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

James, C.C.A.B. & Peltzer, K. (2012) Traditional and alternative therapy for mental illness in Jamaica: patients' conceptions and practitioners' attitudes. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines. 9(1):94-104.

The aim of this study was to investigate traditional and alternative therapy for mental illness in Jamaica: patients' conceptions and practitioners' attitudes. The sample included 60 psychiatric patients selected from Ward 21 at the University of the West Indies, Kingston as well as Princess Margaret outpatient clinic, and 30 Afro-centric psychiatric nurses, psychiatrist and clinical psychologi...

Peltzer, K., Friend-du Preez, N., Ramlagan, S., Fomundam, H., Anderson, J. & Chanetsa, L. (2011) Antiretrovirals and the use of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine by HIV patients in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a longitudinal study. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines. 8(4):337-345.

The aim of this prospective study (20 months) was to assess HIV patients' use of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) and its effect on ARV adherence at three public hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Seven hundred and thirty-five (29.8% male and 70.2% female) patients who consecutively attended three HIV clinics completed assessments prior to ARV initiation, 519...

Peltzer, K., Friend-du Preez, N., Ramlagan, S., Fomundam, H. & Anderson, J. (2010) Traditional complementary and alternative medicine and antiretroviral treatment adherence among HIV patients in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines. 7(2):125-137.

Adherence to antiretroviral medication in the treatment of HIV is critical, both to maximize efficacy and to minimize the emergence of drug resistance. The aim of this prospective study in three public hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, is to assess the use of Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) by HIV patients and its effect on antiretroviral (ARV) adherence 6 mont...

Peltzer, K. (2009) Healing: the fever abates in South Africa. HSRC Review. 7(2):20-21.

Surveys on the use and practice of traditional/complementary/alternative medicine over the past decade suggest that, although traditional medicine still plays an important role among South Africans, traditional or faith healers seem to be visited less often than before, writes Karl Peltzer.

Peltzer, K., Phaswana-Mafuya, N. & Treger, L. (2009) Use of traditional and complementary health practices in prenatal, delivery and postnatal care in the context of HIV Transmission from Mother to Child (PMTCT) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines. 6(2):155-162.

The aim of this study was as part of a baseline assessment in PMTCT in the traditional health sector: a) to determine the views of women who have used the services of traditional practitioners before, during and/or after pregnancy, and b) to conduct formative research with traditional health practitioners (THPs), i.e. herbalists, diviners and traditional birth attendants (TBAs) on HIV, pregnanc...

Peltzer, K. (2009) Utilization and practice of traditional/complementary/alternative medicine (TM/CAM) in South Africa. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines. 6(2):175-185.

The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of published and unpublished research investigating the prevalence of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine (TMCAM) use in the general population. Results found that use of a traditional and/or faith healer seemed to have decreased over the past 13 years (from a range of 3.6 - 12.7% to 0.1%). The prevalence of traditional ma...