ABSTRACT
The HIV/AIDS epidemic requires mobilization of existing and potential resources of health systems for coordinated effort from the grassroots to national level. In this context, the role of traditional medicine practitioners in the management of HIV/AIDS-related illnesses was investigated. The experiences, perceptions and beliefs of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) who access traditional medicine practitioners (TMPs), and the existing linkages between herbalists and other agencies working with PLHIV were also investigated. Specifically designed separate sets of questionnaires containing both closed and open ended questions were administered to herbalists, PLHIV, health workers and members of the community in the Provincial towns of Alotau and Popondetta and clusters of villages beside them. The findings indicate that conditions such as weight loss, diarrhoea, and opportunistic infections in general were believed to respond better to herbal medicines than hospital medicine and many herbalists were able to effectively treat these conditions in PLHIV. TMPs also provided other services such as counseling, advice on diet and healthy lifestyle. The existing linkage between TMPs and other sectors was weak as 80.3% indicated there was little or no collaboration. While 49% of the PLHIV responded better to herbal than hospital medicine, 15% did not, and 21% were not sure. The most common suggestions made were to include TMPs in the health care management for PLHIV and to provide them training in primary health care and HIV management. One general conclusion from many of the specific findings indicates that herbalists are providing positive support in alleviating suffering from HIV/AIDS patients, and may be a potential key to scaling up comprehensive care for HIV/AIDS in PNG as in other parts of the world.