Indigenous approaches to the HIV/AIDS and courage in Uganda

The management of HIV/AIDS-related illness using existing drugs is very costly especially for poor households. Therefore, this study has focused on the role of traditional herbalists in the management and prevention of HIV/AIDS-related illnesses in Uganda. It has also examined the existing linkages between traditional herbalists, the government and other agencies working on HIV/AIDS and how these linkages can be enhanced,and the community's perception about traditional herbalist in the management and prevention of HIV/AIDS-related illnesses. A Participatory Rapid Appraisal (PRA) approach was used, involving focused group discussions (FGDs) with traditional herbalists and AIDS patients who were using traditional herbs to manage HIV/AIDS-related illnesses. The traditional herbalists identified about six HIV/AIDS-related illnesses they manage, which include skin-related infections, persistent fever, cough, headache, chronic diarrhoea, and internal and external wounds. They also revealed that they do not carry out HIV testing on their own but rely on the presence and persistence of the most common symptoms and past histories of their clients to provide treatment for HIV/AIDS related illnesses. The herbs used to manage HIV related illnesses are administered in different forms. It was revealed that there could be a significant improvement within approximately 2-4 months of treatment. The AIDS patients, caretakers and traditional herbalists reported that since their herbs are administered in their natural form, they exhibit no significant side effects. In addition, there are no problems of over-dosage even when their use is not well monitored. The traditional herbalists also provide counseling services to their patients.