epilepsiaEpilepsy and paroxysmal conditionsЭпилепсия и пароксизмальные состояния2077-83332311-4088IRBIS LLC10.17749/2077-8333/epi.par.con.2025.216epilepsia-1209Research ArticleORIGINAL ARTICLESОРИГИНАЛЬНЫЕ СТАТЬИExperiences of people living with epilepsy regarding treatment and interventions in selected rural communities of Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces, South AfricaОтношение людей, страдающих эпилепсией, к различным вариантам лечения в отдельных сельских общинах провинций Лимпопо и Мпумаланга (Южная Африка)https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9703-1668НематагаМ.NemathagaM.

Муофхени Нематага

Тхохояндоу 0950

Muofheni Nemathaga

University Rd, Thohoyandou 0950

muofheninemathaga@gmail.comhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-2027-0601МапутльМ. С.MaputleM. S.

Мария Сонто Мапутль, проф.

Тхохояндоу 0950

Maria Sonto Maputle, Prof.

University Rd, Thohoyandou 0950

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1689-9308МахадоЛ.MakhadoL.

Луфуно Махадо, проф.

WoS Researcher ID: I-1586-2016; Scopus Author ID: 56224434100

Тхохояндоу 0950

Lufuno Makhado, Prof.

WoS Researcher ID: I-1586-2016; Scopus Author ID: 56224434100

University Rd, Thohoyandou 0950

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7104-6768МашауН. С.MashauN. S.

Нциени Стелла Машау, доцент

Тхохояндоу 0950

Ntsieni Stella Mashau, Assoc. Prof.

University Rd, Thohoyandou 0950

Университет ВендаЮжно-Африканская РеспубликаUniversity of VendaSouth Africa202518072025172161169Copyright © Nemathaga M., Maputle M.S., Makhado L., Mashau N.S., 20252025Нематага М., Мапутль М.С., Махадо Л., Машау Н.С.Nemathaga M., Maputle M.S., Makhado L., Mashau N.S.Данная работа распространяется под лицензией Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.https://www.epilepsia.su/jour/article/view/1209

Background. Cultural beliefs, attitudes, and traditions play a crucial role in shaping epilepsy treatment preferences. Rather than obtaining medical interventions, most clients may prefer spiritual healing or traditional healers. This may cause delays in early diagnosis and appropriate epilepsy medical care, thereby increasing the risk of complications.Objective: to investigate experiences of people living with epilepsy (PLWE) regarding care or interventions they receive from professional nurses, faith-based healers, and traditional healers in rural communities of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, South Africa. Material and methods. A qualitative approach using exploratory, descriptive and contextual designs was employed to attain the objectives of the study. In-depth individual interviews were conducted to collect data, and analysis was performed using Tesch’s eight steps of data analysis. The sample comprised 25 PLWE in selected rural communities.Results. Three themes emerged from the data: experiences with care by traditional healers, experiences with care by faithbased healers, and experiences of care by professional nurses at local clinics. The findings revealed that many PLWE preferred care provided by traditional healers and faith-based healers over modern medical treatment from the local clinics, even though they were not always effective. Modern treatment was usually considered at a later stage, causing delays in diagnosis and theraphy. Treatment preferences are significantly influenced by cultural beliefs, values, and practices. Individuals with epilepsy who think their condition is spiritual in nature opt to receive treatment from traditional or faith-based healers. On the other hand, antiepileptic medications from nearby clinics are preferred by those who think there is a medical cause.Conclusion. The results of the study demonstrated the necessity of creating culturally congruent approaches that honour the values and customs of PLWE, fostering a feeling of community and supporting the delivery of comprehensive care.

Актуальность. Культурные верования, установки и традиции играют решающую роль при формировании предпочтений в лечении эпилепсии. Вместо получения медицинской помощи многие люди, страдающие эпилепсией, предпочитают духовное исцеление или народную медицину. Это может приводить к задержке в ранней диагностике и надлежащем лечении при эпилепсии, тем самым увеличивая риск осложнений.Цель: изучить опыт больных эпилепсией в отношении помощи или вмешательств, которые они получают от профессиональных медсестер, религиозных и традиционных целителей, в сельских общинах провинций Лимпопо и Мпумаланга (Южная Африка).Материал и методы. Для достижения поставленной цели использовался качественный подход с применением исследовательского, описательного и контекстуального дизайна. Для сбора данных проводились углубленные индивидуальные опросы с участием 25 больных эпилепсией, проживающих в выбранных сельских общинах.Результаты. Выделены три темы: обращение за медицинской помощью к народным целителям, обращение за медицинской помощью к религиозным целителям и обращение за медицинской помощью к специалистам здравоохранения. Многие больные эпилепсией предпочитают современному медицинскому лечению в местных клиниках помощь (хотя и не всегда эффективную), предоставляемую народными и религиозными целителями. Современные методы обычно рассматривались на более позднем этапе, что приводило к задержке в диагностике и лечении эпилепсии. Терапевтические предпочтения в значительной степени зависят от культурных убеждений, ценностей и практик. Пациенты с эпилепсией, которые уверены, что их состояние обусловлено духовными причинами, выбирают народных или религиозных целителей. И напротив, те, кто считает, что в основе их состояния лежит медицинская причина, готовы принимать противоэпилептические препараты, назначенные в близлежащих клиниках.Заключение. Результаты исследования продемонстрировали необходимость формирования культурно обусловленных подходов с учетом ценностей и обычаев страдающих эпилепсией, формированием чувства общности и предоставлением всеобъемлющей помощи.

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The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest present.