Conceptual framework to provide culturally congruent care to epilepsy patients in selected rural communities in South Africa

Background: Epilepsy is a neurological disorder affecting millions of people in Africa. Among other reported findings, many people living with epilepsy (PLWE) believe that the condition is caused by spiritual factors. Previous studies have revealed that majority of PLWE are not receiving adequate ca...

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Main Authors: Muofheni Nemathaga, Maria S. Maputle, Lufuno Makhado, Ntsieni S. Mashau
Format: Article
Language:Afrikaans
Published: AOSIS 2024-12-01
Series:Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
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Online Access:https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/2763
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author Muofheni Nemathaga
Maria S. Maputle
Lufuno Makhado
Ntsieni S. Mashau
author_facet Muofheni Nemathaga
Maria S. Maputle
Lufuno Makhado
Ntsieni S. Mashau
author_sort Muofheni Nemathaga
collection DOAJ
description Background: Epilepsy is a neurological disorder affecting millions of people in Africa. Among other reported findings, many people living with epilepsy (PLWE) believe that the condition is caused by spiritual factors. Previous studies have revealed that majority of PLWE are not receiving adequate care and treatment because of diverse cultural beliefs associated with epilepsy. Consequently, they consult either faith-based healers or traditional healers. Others, however, acknowledge the medical causes of epilepsy and seek developed medical treatment. Aim: To develop a culturally congruent care conceptual framework to provide comprehensive and holistic epilepsy care. Setting: This study was conducted in the selected rural communities of Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. Methods: A qualitative multi-method research approach was employed and sub-divided into three phases. Phase 1: All 15 articles were reviewed and appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) rating tool. Phase 2 involved two stages of empirical study in which an exploratory-descriptive study design was used. The study population comprised of 20 traditional healers, 15 faith-based healers, 20 professional nurses and 22 PLWE. Data were collected using in-depth individual interviews and analysed through eight Tesch’s steps of data analysis. Following data analysis, Phase 3 entailed synthesising the systematic and empirical findings into a conceptual framework. Results: Three themes that emerged from the findings were cultural epilepsy interventions, faith-based epilepsy intervention and medically developed epilepsy interventions. Conclusion: Incorporation of cultural beliefs, values and practices into the medically developed management of epilepsy is crucial for providing culturally congruent care that is preferred by majority of PLWE. Contribution: Healthcare providers may tailor care interventions that are culturally appropriate and acceptable hence promoting early diagnosis and treatment adherence leading to improved quality of life.
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spelling doaj-art-18b19a8d9de34f13a62386a4e55b72d02025-08-20T02:49:10ZafrAOSISHealth SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences1025-98482071-97362024-12-01290e1e810.4102/hsag.v29i0.27631205Conceptual framework to provide culturally congruent care to epilepsy patients in selected rural communities in South AfricaMuofheni Nemathaga0Maria S. Maputle1Lufuno Makhado2Ntsieni S. Mashau3Department of Advanced Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, ThohoyandouDepartment of Advanced Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, ThohoyandouDepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, ThohoyandouDepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, ThohoyandouBackground: Epilepsy is a neurological disorder affecting millions of people in Africa. Among other reported findings, many people living with epilepsy (PLWE) believe that the condition is caused by spiritual factors. Previous studies have revealed that majority of PLWE are not receiving adequate care and treatment because of diverse cultural beliefs associated with epilepsy. Consequently, they consult either faith-based healers or traditional healers. Others, however, acknowledge the medical causes of epilepsy and seek developed medical treatment. Aim: To develop a culturally congruent care conceptual framework to provide comprehensive and holistic epilepsy care. Setting: This study was conducted in the selected rural communities of Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. Methods: A qualitative multi-method research approach was employed and sub-divided into three phases. Phase 1: All 15 articles were reviewed and appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) rating tool. Phase 2 involved two stages of empirical study in which an exploratory-descriptive study design was used. The study population comprised of 20 traditional healers, 15 faith-based healers, 20 professional nurses and 22 PLWE. Data were collected using in-depth individual interviews and analysed through eight Tesch’s steps of data analysis. Following data analysis, Phase 3 entailed synthesising the systematic and empirical findings into a conceptual framework. Results: Three themes that emerged from the findings were cultural epilepsy interventions, faith-based epilepsy intervention and medically developed epilepsy interventions. Conclusion: Incorporation of cultural beliefs, values and practices into the medically developed management of epilepsy is crucial for providing culturally congruent care that is preferred by majority of PLWE. Contribution: Healthcare providers may tailor care interventions that are culturally appropriate and acceptable hence promoting early diagnosis and treatment adherence leading to improved quality of life.https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/2763conceptual frameworkculturally congruentepilepsy carepeople living with epilepsyrural communities.
spellingShingle Muofheni Nemathaga
Maria S. Maputle
Lufuno Makhado
Ntsieni S. Mashau
Conceptual framework to provide culturally congruent care to epilepsy patients in selected rural communities in South Africa
Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
conceptual framework
culturally congruent
epilepsy care
people living with epilepsy
rural communities.
title Conceptual framework to provide culturally congruent care to epilepsy patients in selected rural communities in South Africa
title_full Conceptual framework to provide culturally congruent care to epilepsy patients in selected rural communities in South Africa
title_fullStr Conceptual framework to provide culturally congruent care to epilepsy patients in selected rural communities in South Africa
title_full_unstemmed Conceptual framework to provide culturally congruent care to epilepsy patients in selected rural communities in South Africa
title_short Conceptual framework to provide culturally congruent care to epilepsy patients in selected rural communities in South Africa
title_sort conceptual framework to provide culturally congruent care to epilepsy patients in selected rural communities in south africa
topic conceptual framework
culturally congruent
epilepsy care
people living with epilepsy
rural communities.
url https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/2763
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AT lufunomakhado conceptualframeworktoprovideculturallycongruentcaretoepilepsypatientsinselectedruralcommunitiesinsouthafrica
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