‘It all depends on your faith’: Spiritual illnesses and traditional healing in rural Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Despite biomedical explanations for diseases being increasingly accepted in sub-Saharan Africa, traditional African explanatory models of illness remain widespread. This study sought to understand local explanatory models for illness and patient experiences with different traditional health practitioners (THPs) among a population of rural women in Limpopo, South Africa. This was a cross-sectional qualitative study in which eighty-two in-depth interviews were conducted, and the data were thematically analysed. Study findings indicate that 68% of participants believed illnesses can be caused by bewitchment, and these diseases were often considered too taboo to even be discussed. High percentages of participants also believe that THPs can cure illnesses that medical doctors cannot treat. Additionally, several illnesses were identified related to traditional practices and cultural beliefs, which can only be cured traditionally, via THPs. While the hospital/clinic is often first approached, its failure to resolve illness can often be seen as a sign of the spiritual origin of the ailment. This study is a pre-context for more research around biomedical/traditional medicine collaborations.