Experiences of people living with epilepsy regarding treatment and interventions in selected rural communities of Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces, South Africa

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.

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