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A Dialogue-Building Pilot Intervention Involving Traditional and Biomedical Health Providers Focusing on STIs and HIV/AIDS Care in Zambia

Division of International Health (IHCAR), Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, Bwira.Kaboru{at}ki.se

Phillimon Ndubani, PhD

Institute of Economic and Social Research, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia

Torkel Falkenberg, PhD

Division of International Health (IHCAR), Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, Centre for Studies of Complementary Medicine, Division of International Health, Department of Public Health Sciences and Division of Nursing, Department of Neurobiology, Caring Science and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

Anastasia Pharris, MPH

Division of International Health (IHCAR), Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

Maureen Muchimba, MPH

Institute of Economic and Social Research, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia

Kashita Solo

Traditional Health Practitioners Association of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia

Bengt Höjer, PhD

Division of International Health (IHCAR), Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, Dalarna University College, Falun, Sweden

Elisabeth Faxelid, PhD

Division of International Health (IHCAR), Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

Collaboration between traditional and biomedically trained health workers is regarded as key in HIV/AIDS control. However, few studies have focused on exploring ways of enhancing this collaboration. Using a pre- and postintervention questionnaire, the authors assessed changes in attitudes to and practices of collaboration among 19 biomedical and 28 traditional health care providers following a 12-month dialogue-building intervention in Ndola, Zambia. The intervention consisted of peer group discussions, interactive group discussions, training sessions, and peer-influenced networking. The results show that although both groups of providers had fairly positive attitudes toward each other before the intervention, further improvements in attitudes were observed after the intervention. Referrals between the two sectors and cross visits increased. However, some attitudes to collaboration became more negative and cautious after the intervention. Dialogue-building interventions involving traditional and biomedical providers are not only feasible but also complex. Intersectoral collaboration needs time and coordination between all relevant actors in the community.

Key Words: traditional medicine • HIV/AIDS • STI • collaboration • dialogue • intervention • Zambia

Complementary Health Practice Review, Vol. 13, No. 2, 110-126 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1533210108316145


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