Introduction: Women stay alone with their children in rural places while their husbands I partner... more Introduction: Women stay alone with their children in rural places while their husbands I partners work away from home for varying periods of time. Such fluctuating migration may cause difficulty in communications and may spread sexual transmittable infections (STI) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Objective: This study explored ways in which black women in rural South Africa communicated with partners, who were migrant workers, on issues related to sexual matters. Method: This is a qualitative study where four focus groups were utilized to allow the women to describe their experiences, and to verbalize their feelings, beliefs, and perceptions in th is area. Participants: Four focus groups consisting of six females between the ages of 16 48 who had partners that were employed as migrant labourers and do not live at home. Setting: A rural area in Hlabisa jurisdiction. Data Collection: An interview schedule with open questions were used to facilitate the focus group discuss...
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2016
The phytomedicine Tulbaghia consists of the fresh or dried subterranean organs of various Tulbagh... more The phytomedicine Tulbaghia consists of the fresh or dried subterranean organs of various Tulbaghia species. The genus is endemic to Southern Africa and includes about 20 species, of which only T. alliacea and T. capensis are naturally found in the winter rainfall climate area (the Western Cape). The genus forms part of the Alliaceae family and is a geophyte (plants with an underground perennation organ and leaves that die back annually). Their habitat can range from semi-desert to wet and boggy terrain. Wild garlic is most commonly prepared as an infusion or boiled in water and taken orally. Externally, as a medicated bath, wild garlic is used to treat paralysis and rheumatism and to reduce the temperature in a feverish patient. Internally, rhizome or bulb preparations are taken orally to treat fever; as a remedy for colds and influenza, asthma, tuberculosis, and stomach problems; as an antihypertensive; or to expel intestinal worms. It is also used as a prophylactic against winter infections. Rhizome pieces are often placed in castor oil to make eardrops. For fever and high blood pressure, a tea is made from the bulbs or rhizomes and a small cup taken three times daily. The leaves of the plant are used to treat esophageal cancer and may also be eaten as a vegetable. The demand for Tulbaghia in both formal and informal markets has grown exponentially. Sustainable harvesting focuses on only harvesting enough of the plant so that it still has the capacity for self-renewal. However, because both the above-ground and underground parts of Tulbaghia are commonly used in African traditional medicine, destructive harvesting of the whole plant is inevitable, thus necessitating the large-scale organized propagation of these plants. It is therefore important to establish a new strategy for the sustainable harvesting of these plants as commercial crops.
Background: Many people in adversely affected communities utilized complementary, alternative and... more Background: Many people in adversely affected communities utilized complementary, alternative and traditional medicine practices in response to chronic conditions while simultaneously using over the counter and prescription drugs. With the lack of access to health care services, and constrained resources people are using culturally viable and accepted traditional medicine practices in response to their needs. This study investigated prevalence and predictors of HIV/AIDS patients on ARV treatment that used traditional medicine and their communication and disclosure to their health care professional. Method: Patients (N=100) were recruited and administered a questionnaire from ARV clinics located in two regions of South Africa (urban and rural) while in depth interviews (N=14) were conducted among health care providers, community health outreach workers and traditional healers from the respective clinics in the regions. Both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis wa...
Introduction Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are more prevalent among older women living in urba... more Introduction Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are more prevalent among older women living in urban areas in South Africa. The increasing burden of disease of NCDs among older women people is placing a heavy burden on the healthcare system. This study aims to investigate the health behaviour for medical treatment and the potential for alternative health treatment options among older women with NCDs from Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study. Method From the existing PURE study in South Africa, 188 women over the age of 50 were selected cross-sectionally from an urban site. These participants were queried about their health status, health treatment, diagnosis of NCD and complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) use. Results Most of the participants were diagnosed with an NCD (72%; n=135). The median age of these participants was 61, (IQR= 56-67), majority were never married (42%); with secondary education (62%), unemployed/retired (82%), monthly income of Ë‚ R 2000 (83%...
Introduction: Women stay alone with their children in rural places while their husbands I partner... more Introduction: Women stay alone with their children in rural places while their husbands I partners work away from home for varying periods of time. Such fluctuating migration may cause difficulty in communications and may spread sexual transmittable infections (STI) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Objective: This study explored ways in which black women in rural South Africa communicated with partners, who were migrant workers, on issues related to sexual matters. Method: This is a qualitative study where four focus groups were utilized to allow the women to describe their experiences, and to verbalize their feelings, beliefs, and perceptions in th is area. Participants: Four focus groups consisting of six females between the ages of 16 48 who had partners that were employed as migrant labourers and do not live at home. Setting: A rural area in Hlabisa jurisdiction. Data Collection: An interview schedule with open questions were used to facilitate the focus group discuss...
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2016
The phytomedicine Tulbaghia consists of the fresh or dried subterranean organs of various Tulbagh... more The phytomedicine Tulbaghia consists of the fresh or dried subterranean organs of various Tulbaghia species. The genus is endemic to Southern Africa and includes about 20 species, of which only T. alliacea and T. capensis are naturally found in the winter rainfall climate area (the Western Cape). The genus forms part of the Alliaceae family and is a geophyte (plants with an underground perennation organ and leaves that die back annually). Their habitat can range from semi-desert to wet and boggy terrain. Wild garlic is most commonly prepared as an infusion or boiled in water and taken orally. Externally, as a medicated bath, wild garlic is used to treat paralysis and rheumatism and to reduce the temperature in a feverish patient. Internally, rhizome or bulb preparations are taken orally to treat fever; as a remedy for colds and influenza, asthma, tuberculosis, and stomach problems; as an antihypertensive; or to expel intestinal worms. It is also used as a prophylactic against winter infections. Rhizome pieces are often placed in castor oil to make eardrops. For fever and high blood pressure, a tea is made from the bulbs or rhizomes and a small cup taken three times daily. The leaves of the plant are used to treat esophageal cancer and may also be eaten as a vegetable. The demand for Tulbaghia in both formal and informal markets has grown exponentially. Sustainable harvesting focuses on only harvesting enough of the plant so that it still has the capacity for self-renewal. However, because both the above-ground and underground parts of Tulbaghia are commonly used in African traditional medicine, destructive harvesting of the whole plant is inevitable, thus necessitating the large-scale organized propagation of these plants. It is therefore important to establish a new strategy for the sustainable harvesting of these plants as commercial crops.
Background: Many people in adversely affected communities utilized complementary, alternative and... more Background: Many people in adversely affected communities utilized complementary, alternative and traditional medicine practices in response to chronic conditions while simultaneously using over the counter and prescription drugs. With the lack of access to health care services, and constrained resources people are using culturally viable and accepted traditional medicine practices in response to their needs. This study investigated prevalence and predictors of HIV/AIDS patients on ARV treatment that used traditional medicine and their communication and disclosure to their health care professional. Method: Patients (N=100) were recruited and administered a questionnaire from ARV clinics located in two regions of South Africa (urban and rural) while in depth interviews (N=14) were conducted among health care providers, community health outreach workers and traditional healers from the respective clinics in the regions. Both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis wa...
Introduction Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are more prevalent among older women living in urba... more Introduction Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are more prevalent among older women living in urban areas in South Africa. The increasing burden of disease of NCDs among older women people is placing a heavy burden on the healthcare system. This study aims to investigate the health behaviour for medical treatment and the potential for alternative health treatment options among older women with NCDs from Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study. Method From the existing PURE study in South Africa, 188 women over the age of 50 were selected cross-sectionally from an urban site. These participants were queried about their health status, health treatment, diagnosis of NCD and complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) use. Results Most of the participants were diagnosed with an NCD (72%; n=135). The median age of these participants was 61, (IQR= 56-67), majority were never married (42%); with secondary education (62%), unemployed/retired (82%), monthly income of Ë‚ R 2000 (83%...
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Papers by Gail Hughes