Attitudes of Black South African Mothers towards the Use of Indigenous Healing and Western Medicine in the Treatment of Newborn Infants

Abstract

While the infant mortality rate in South Africa has decreased, it remains a concern. Although there may not be any direct link between infant mortality and maternal infant-care practices, the health-seeking behaviour of mothers of newborn infants is a neglected area of research. Consequently, there is a need to understand the persons that mothers approach to prevent ill-health and restore and promote their infants’ health and well-being. The study therefore explored the attitudes of Black South African mothers regarding the use of indigenous and/or Western medicine for the treatment of childhood or infancy conditions. The study adopted a qualitative approach, guided by an Afrocentric perspective. Interviews were conducted with 18 participants and responses were analysed using thematic analysis. A key finding was that participants viewed monthly visits to Western-based healthcare clinics as necessary to monitor the development of their children. Consultations with traditional healers were intended to protect their infants against evil spirits. The main conclusion reached was that the use of traditional healing and Western medicine are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Mothers were able to see the value of both approaches, despite a preference for biomedicine.