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WORLD ANTHROPOLOGICAL UNION

CONGRESS 2024​

Paper

"One size does not fit all": context specific approaches in the decision making of Covid-19 vaccinations shaping the practice of medical pluralism amongst Traditional Health Practitioners in Makhanda

presenters

    Lebogang Mothapo

    Nationality: South Africa

    Residence: South Africa

    Rhodes University

    Presence:Face to Face/ On Site

Keywords:

COVID-19, medical pluralims, traditional health practitioners, South Africa

Abstract:

Background: The quest for health and wellbeing across different societies is shaped by different worldviews, which shape people’s distinct understanding of health and illnesses. The relationship between various health care systems has been indicated to being of importance in providing a diverse, collaborative, and informed health insight. This study aimed at understanding the dispositions of traditional health practitioners in Makhanda towards Covid-19 vaccinations and how the relationship between THPs and biomedicine can aid in understanding Medical Pluralism from a non-western perspective. Methods: This qualitative study adopts a phenomenological design, with Traditional Health Practitioners in a peri-urban area called Makhanda in the heart of Eastern Cape, as participants. They were recruited using snowball sampling. Data was generated through in-depth interviews. Furthermore, thematic analysis as an analysis approach, was used. Key findings: In unpacking the dispositions of THPs towards Covid-19 in Makhanda, a “one size does not fit all” narrative was established, which explained the multifaceted and complex perspective that is deployed by THPs in response to Covid-19 regardless of their support or denial of the vaccine. This showed that the community of THPs have a unique way of viewing illness and disease, which is not adequately included in the current medical climate of the South African Health System. Thus, the practice of medical pluralism amongst THPs is dependent on how inclusive and diverse the health system in South Africa is. Conclusion: In micro scoping the patterns of Covid-19 and how people responded to it in their daily lives, the virus stood as an appropriate stance at which the progression of medical pluralism can be understood from the perspectives of traditional health care providers. These perspectives are key in identifying ways of creating health programs that are unifying rather than divisive.