南非大多数患有性传播疾病(STD)的人首先寻求传统治疗师(THs)的帮助。由于与没有性病的人相比,患有性病的人感染和传播艾滋病毒的风险更大,THs是艾滋病毒/艾滋病教育的良好目标群体。斯堪的纳维亚非洲研究所资助了一项研究,在阿马蒂库鲁,乌伦迪,Nqutu,德班,Pietermaritzburg,和其他邻近地区进行了艾滋病毒/艾滋病相关知识的调查,信仰,和实践。大多数受过艾滋病教育的人现在承认艾滋病存在,并正在采取保护措施,例如使用一次性剃须刀片,以避免在传统治疗期间感染HIV患者。然而,许多THs认为艾滋病是从老年人进化而来的,只有Ths才能治愈的神秘疾病。传统医院激增,艾滋病毒/艾滋病患者因巫术和其他精神原因而从THS和公众更典型地认为是发病率的疾病中寻求治疗。虽然每个TH都有自己的抗艾滋病药物混合物,基本成分在所有混合物中都很常见。一个基本的,常见的成分是一种具有抗病毒和抗艾滋病特性的植物。植物,然而,毒性很强,治疗几天后本身就会杀死病人。另一种植物对几种RNA和DNA攻击病毒具有相当大的杀病毒活性。还发现传统药物含有传统上用于治疗头痛的植物,呼吸问题,胸部和腹部疼痛,感冒,和痢疾.它还具有抗常见机会性感染的抗真菌和抗微生物作用,以及镇静剂和止痛药。传统的艾滋病治疗方法可能有助于改善患者的健康。
Most people in South Africa with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) first seek help from traditional healers (THs). Since people with STDs are at greater risk of contracting and transmitting HIV than are those without STDs, THs comprise a good target group for HIV/AIDS education. A study was funded by the Scandinavian Institute of African Studies in which THs in Amatikulu, Ulundi, Nqutu, Durban, Pietermaritzburg, and other adjacent areas were surveyed about their HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, beliefs, and practices. Most AIDS-educated THs now acknowledge that AIDS exists and are taking protective measures, such as using disposable razor blades to avoid infecting patients with HIV during traditional treatments. However, many THs believe that AIDS has evolved from older, mystical diseases which only THs can cure. Traditional hospitals have proliferated in which HIV/AIDS patients seek treatment from what is more typically perceived by the THs and the general public as morbidity due to witchcraft and other spiritual causes. While each TH has his own blend of medicine against AIDS, the basic ingredients are common among all concoctions. One basic, common ingredient is a plant with documented anti-viral and anti-AIDS properties. The plant, however, is highly toxic and will itself kill the patient after a few days treatment. Another plant has considerable virucidal activity against several RNA and DNA attacking viruses. The traditional medicine was also found to contain plants which have traditionally been used against headaches, respiratory problems, chest and abdominal pains, colds, and dysentery. It also has documented antifungal and antimicrobial effects against common opportunistic infections, as well as being a sedative and painkiller. Traditional treatments against AIDS may help to improve patients\' well-being.