Zeitschrift für Forschung und Entwicklung im Bereich Gesundheitserziehung

Understanding Indigenous Practices in Epilepsy Management from a Theoretical Perspective

Abstract

Ngonidzashe Mutanana, Maria Tsvere, Manase Kudzai Chiweshe

The main objective of this paper was to evaluate theories that support indigenous practices of epilepsy management in Africa. The authors reviewed literature related to the following theories; the Health Belief Model (HBM), the agency approach, the Technological Acceptance Model (TAM) and the sustainable livelihoods theories. The authors concluded that these theories help to understand why some individuals in Africa opt to use traditional medicines when western medicines are available at hospital centres. For instance, the behaviour of an individual is determined by a number of health threats and beliefs that he/she possesses about his/her well-being as well as the effectiveness and outcomes of particular behaviours or actions. The capability or ability of that same individual is affected by his or her cognitive belief structure that is formulated through his or her experiences and perceptions that are held by the society. The acceptance and the increasing utilisation of indigenous technological innovations in the health care sector are not only crucial, but are beneficial to both the healthcare professionals and patients during their diagnosis and the treatment processes. Culture plays many roles in the sustainable framework. As such, these theories assist in understanding the knowledge gap that exists on traditional medicines in epilepsy management.