Article

Use of traditional medicine versus use of the community-based primary health care clinic by the San community at Platfontein

Published in: South African Family Practice
Volume 52 , issue 6 , 2010 , pages: 542–547

DOI: 10.1080/20786204.2010.10874045

Author(s): GF De Jager Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, , EAM Prinsloo Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, , G Joubert Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences,

Keywords: assumptions , perceptions , modern medicine , Western medicine , traditional healers , San community , Khoisan

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Abstract

Introduction: Working amongst a San community led to the observation that, despite the availability of modern healthcare, high mortality and morbidity associated with disease, such as dehydration, malnutrition and tuberculosis, still prevailed. This study aimed to determine how traditional beliefs and customs influenced the utilisation of Western medicine.

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