Practices of disease diagnosis and patient monitoring by traditional herbalists in Mpigi district, Uganda: Implications for integration into the conventional health care system

• Published in: Advances in integrative medicine 2024-10
• Main Authors: Kyeyune, Henry, Kaggwa, Bruhan, Adome, Richard Odoi, Anywar, Godwin, Munanura, Edson Ireeta, Walusimbi, David, Mpewo, Judah, Kamba, Pakoyo Fadhiru
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Diagnosis; Disease; Patient monitoring; Traditional herbalist; Traditional medicine; Traditional medicine practices
• ISSN: 2212-9588
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aimed.2024.10.012

The use of herbs by traditional healers plays a vital role in primary health care in rural Uganda, where most patients still prefer and use herbal medicines. However, specific literature on the traditional healing practices of herbalists is lacking. This study documented the methods traditional herbalists in Mpigi District, Uganda, employ to diagnose disease, monitor patients and handle cases of treatment failure. An exploratory study was carried out from June to November 2019 in the rural district of Mpigi in Uganda. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 herbalists. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and themes were generated using qualitative content analysis. The methods used to diagnose disease included; prior conventional diagnosis, the patient’s description of their experience with the disease condition (including signs, symptoms, and history of disease), physical examination for signs of disease, referral for conventional diagnosis, or to another herbalist, and use of conventional tools. Herbalists use phone calls, patients’ visits, and set review dates to monitor response to therapy. Patient monitoring during therapy emphasizes the improvement or resolution of signs and symptoms of disease and does not consider adverse drug reactions to therapy. Disease conditions that do not respond to therapy are referred to conventional health centres and other traditional health practitioners. Diagnosis of disease and monitoring of patients depends on presenting symptomatology as observed by the herbalist or described by the patient. There is considerable dependence on the conventional health system through referral for diagnosis and management of non-responsive conditions.