Traditional birth influence in HIV/AIDS (in Bucula community - Ngqeleni: Eastern Cape)

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Traditional birth practices and HIV/AIDS infections usually reflect the standard of health. They are probably the best measures of the general socio-economic conditions of the society. There is a worldwide indication that the slow-down of HIV/AIDS infection and traditional birth practices is an indication of an improvement in the healthcare and strategic management of the infectious diseases.It has been noted that even a developing country like Kenya has managed to slow down HIV/AIDS pandemic. This case needs more attention from the politicians as authorities to declare HIV/AIDS a natural disaster.Twenty households were randomly selected for the collection of data in the form of questionnaire and oral interviews, due to high illiteracy in the community. A direct method of estimation was used to determine the level of mortality rate and HIV/AIDS infection rate among the mothers and babies.It was found that most of the infections and deaths were caused by the cultural practices, beliefs in Witch doctors and traditional healers, lack of education, low socio-economic status, ignorance and inaccessibility of healthcare centres.High mortality rate due to traditional birth and HIV/AIDS infection was confirmed by the Canzibe hospital, reports reflect HIV/AIDS infections to the mothers and their babies taken to hospital for inspection after complicated deliveries.The community leader reported that most women who died were in their early twenties and mid-thirties except few old women aged between 50and 60 that died due to same sickness as their daughters and daughters-in-law. A community leader confirmed that their children usually die first before they reach age five. That was just estimation; no accurate ages were given because of illiteracy problems.Finally recommendations were made to minimise death rate and HIV/AIDS infection through traditional birth. Training of the traditional midwives, mothers on breast-feeding and on how mother to child transmission occurs is required. Gender inequality and rural economic empowerment should be addressed.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University