Evidence map›Paper›PMID 35096108›Full record

ArticleEvidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM2022

Patients' Experience on Practice and Applicability of Informed Consent in Traditional Medical Practice in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa.

Francis Akpa-Inyang, Elizabeth Ojewole, Sylvester C Chima

Abstract read
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Article in Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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1citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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3 · Its place in the literature

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1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Francis Akpa-InyangProgramme of Bio & Research Ethics and Medical Law, School of Nursing and Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3351-4126
Elizabeth OjewoleDiscipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal (Westville Campus), P.O. Box X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9589-4793
Sylvester C ChimaProgramme of Bio & Research Ethics and Medical Law, School of Nursing and Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7067-6469

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundInformed consent (IC) is constitutionally protected in South Africa based on individual rights to bodily integrity and well-being. In terms of the law, patients cannot be involved in medical treatment or research without IC. This study explored patients' experience on practice and applicability of IC in African traditional medicine (ATM) in Msunduzi and eThekwini municipalities, KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa, to evaluate whether important elements of IC such as full information disclosure, capacity, understanding, and volition are considered or being applied during ATM.

methodsThis cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted using semistructured questionnaires administered to patients attending traditional health practitioners' (THPs') treatment centres. Stata V15.1 was used to analyse variables including descriptive and inferential data analysis.

resultsOne hundred and twenty-nine (129) participants completed this study, of which 62% were females. Most participants were in the age range of 26-35 (38.8%). All respondents were IsiZulu home-language speakers, single (62.8%), employed (48%), and with some tertiary education (48.8%). Most patients were informed about their diagnosis (58.9%), treatment benefits (79.8%), and recommended treatment (79.8%). Fewer were informed about risks of treatment (36.4%), right of refusal (3.1%), and risks of refusing recommended treatment (0.8%). All participants reported satisfaction with information disclosed by the THPs and did not feel coerced to accept treatment. Consent was obtained verbally in all cases. The majority of participants (76.7%) sought surrogate assistance when consulting THPS, and 81.4% preferred being informed about all treatment risks. Most respondents also preferred involvement in healthcare decision-making during ATM.

conclusionThis study reveals that most patients consulting THPs in the KwaZulu-Natal province for treatment are aware of their right to information disclosure and the need to reach agreement before involvement in ATM treatment procedures. The study also showed that some key elements of IC are currently being applied during ATM practice in South Africa.

Identifiers

PMID35096108
PMCPMC8794665

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