Herbalists' explanations of infertility: The case of Northern and Southern Ghana

In sub-Saharan Africa, traditional medical practitioners also referred to as herbalists, offer diagnostics and therapeutics for diverse medical conditions irrespective of the cause. Given their traditional role as healers and repository of knowledge about medicinal plants, spirituality, customs and religion, people use their services regardless of their location, education, or socio-economic backgrounds. The aim of the study is to explore herbalists´ views and explanations on infertility and women with infertility. Using an exploratory qualitative design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 herbalists, 5 from the North-East region, 2 from Ashanti region and 3 from the Greater Accra region. Following thematic analysis, findings show that infertility has multiple causes - medical, natural, spiritual and lifestyle. Some herbalists stated that everyone was created to bear children while others refuted this notion. They shared the common consensus that not everyone can have children even though they may be medically and spiritually fit. The public should be advised on the need for periodic reproductive health checks. Also, there should be a conscious, concerted efforts to gradually dissociate unhealthy explanations of infertility from the actual empirically proven realities.This would empower society to rise above those entrenched beliefs, thereby reducing the stigma associated with infertility and women with infertility. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26[5]: 96-106).

Indigenous Practices of Pregnant Women at Dilokong Hospital in Limpopo Province; South Africa

Background: Indigenous practices (IPs) are experiences generated by people who are living in a specific regional context and cultural group. IPs are shaped by cultural traits that are passed from one generation to the next. IPs practices are rooted and embedded in society and; therefore; the practices become part of the people's lifestyle. It is difficult to try and change these practices as people have adhered to them throughout their entire lives. The believe system plays a major role in health care seeking behaviour of individuals because they are informed by the IPs that are observed in their environment.Objectives: To explore and describe the IPs of pregnant women at Dilokong hospital in Limpopo province.Method: A qualitative; descriptive; explorative and contextual research design was used for the participants to describe the IPs used by pregnant women. Data were collected through unstructured one-on-one interviews.Results: The following four themes with sub-themes emerged from the data: IPs based on ancestral knowledge; IPs based on spiritual diviners versus church principles; restricted practices versus instructions followed during pregnancy; and labour and IPs during labour and delivery.Conclusion: IPs are regarded as an honourable health intervention by traditional health practitioners (THPs); families and pregnant women. IPs like cords around women's waists are still observed during physical examinations. However; there is a reduction of prescribed indigenous oral medication used to accelerate labour because of their potential toxicity