Maputle, M. S.Makhado, L.Mashau, N. S.Nemathaga, Muofheni2026-01-242026-01-242025-09-05Nemathaga, M. 2025. Culturally Congruent Interventions for People Living with Epilepsy in Selected Rural Communities of Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces. . .https://univendspace.univen.ac.za/handle/11602/3112D. NURDepartment of Advanced Nursing ScienceBackground: Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterised by recurrent seizures. It affects millions of people worldwide and significantly impacts their quality of life. Most people living with epilepsy, particularly those in rural areas, do not receive adequate treatment to control their seizures. Traditional healers and faith-based healers are usually given first preference, and healthcare practitioners are considered later, causing unnecessary delays in early diagnosis and treatment. Aim: This study aimed to develop culturally congruent interventions for people living with epilepsy in selected rural communities in Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces. The goal was for these interventions to bridge the gap between faith-based, traditional, and modern healthcare practices, ensuring that individuals receive the necessary care and support while respecting their cultural values and beliefs. Methods: A multi-method research approach was used to achieve the study’s objectives. Data collection was performed through in-depth individual interviews. Data was analysed using Tesch’s method of qualitative data analysis. Findings: A series of articles was generated from the findings: 1. Global availability of epilepsy interventions: A systematic review. Fifteen articles were reviewed and appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme rating tool. Four themes emerged from the findings: cultural interventions, faith-based interventions, Western interventions, and intervention programmes. 2. Diagnosis of epilepsy by traditional healers and its implications on management in selected rural communities of Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces: A qualitative study. Findings from this study revealed that traditional healers have varied beliefs and misconceptions regarding the causes and diagnosis of epilepsy, hence greatly influencing the management. The misconceptions on the causes include a calling by ancestors, urine contents, snake in the stomach, contaminated digestive system, and witchcraft. The management included using herbal plants, insects, foam excreted during seizures and urine of the person living with epilepsy. 3. Views of traditional healers collaborating with health professionals when managing epilepsy in selected rural areas of Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces (South Africa). The study's findings revealed two themes: a perspective on collaboration in epilepsy treatment and strategies to enhance its implementation. Most traditional healers were unaware of the official collaboration in managing epilepsy. When they found out about it, most of them were willing to collaborate with health professionals. 4. Experiences of people living with epilepsy regarding treatment and interventions in selected rural communities in Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces, South Africa. Three themes emerged from the data: experiences with care by traditional healers, experiences with care by faith-based healers, and experiences of care by professional nurses at local clinics. The findings revealed that the majority of people living with epilepsy preferred care provided by traditional healers and faith-based healers over modern medical treatment from the local clinics, even though they were not always effective. Modern treatment was usually considered later, causing delays in diagnosis and treatment. 5. Professional nurses’ experiences of managing epilepsy at limited resource rural facilities in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, South Africa. Four themes emerged from the data: experiences of professional nurses during the management of epilepsy, inadequate training in the management of epilepsy, insufficient supply of antiepileptic drugs, and late presentation to local clinics. 6. Which way to go? Exploring faith-based healers’ practices regarding the management of epilepsy in selected rural communities in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. This study found that faith-based healers had varied beliefs and misconceptions regarding the causes of epilepsy, significantly influencing the diagnosis and management of the condition. Misconceptions regarding the causes of epilepsy included evil spirits, demonic possession, difficulty breathing, and foam in the lungs. Traditional and faith-based management involved prayer, fasting, and consuming fresh milk and weak tea. However, no scientific evidence regarding this traditional management approach's potential anticonvulsive properties or pharmacokinetics could be provided. 7. Conceptual framework to provide culturally congruent care to people living with epilepsy in selected rural communities in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, South Africa. The study found that many patients were not receiving the necessary interventions because treatment preferences were greatly influenced by their cultural beliefs. 8. Development of culturally congruent interventions for people living with epilepsy in rural communities Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, South Africa. This study developed culturally congruent interventions that are sensitive and acceptable to the community members of Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces. Conclusion: Cultural beliefs, values, and practices significantly impact how epilepsy is perceived and managed in rural communities. Healthcare professionals must comprehend and honour these cultural norms when developing interventions for people with epilepsy. Healthcare professionals can enhance patient outcomes and increase acceptance of medical interventions by implementing culturally appropriate practices, such as engaging with community leaders or traditional healers to incorporate traditional healing practices into treatment interventions.1 online resource ()enUniversity of VendaEpilepsyCulturally congruentFaith-based healersInterventionPeople living with epilepsyTraditional healersThesisNemathaga M. Culturally Congruent Interventions for People Living with Epilepsy in Selected Rural Communities of Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces. []. , 2025 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from:Nemathaga, M. (2025). <i>Culturally Congruent Interventions for People Living with Epilepsy in Selected Rural Communities of Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces</i>. (). . Retrieved fromNemathaga, Muofheni. <i>"Culturally Congruent Interventions for People Living with Epilepsy in Selected Rural Communities of Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces."</i> ., , 2025.TY - Thesis AU - Nemathaga, Muofheni AB - Background: Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterised by recurrent seizures. It affects millions of people worldwide and significantly impacts their quality of life. Most people living with epilepsy, particularly those in rural areas, do not receive adequate treatment to control their seizures. Traditional healers and faith-based healers are usually given first preference, and healthcare practitioners are considered later, causing unnecessary delays in early diagnosis and treatment. Aim: This study aimed to develop culturally congruent interventions for people living with epilepsy in selected rural communities in Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces. The goal was for these interventions to bridge the gap between faith-based, traditional, and modern healthcare practices, ensuring that individuals receive the necessary care and support while respecting their cultural values and beliefs. Methods: A multi-method research approach was used to achieve the study’s objectives. Data collection was performed through in-depth individual interviews. Data was analysed using Tesch’s method of qualitative data analysis. Findings: A series of articles was generated from the findings: 1. Global availability of epilepsy interventions: A systematic review. Fifteen articles were reviewed and appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme rating tool. Four themes emerged from the findings: cultural interventions, faith-based interventions, Western interventions, and intervention programmes. 2. Diagnosis of epilepsy by traditional healers and its implications on management in selected rural communities of Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces: A qualitative study. Findings from this study revealed that traditional healers have varied beliefs and misconceptions regarding the causes and diagnosis of epilepsy, hence greatly influencing the management. The misconceptions on the causes include a calling by ancestors, urine contents, snake in the stomach, contaminated digestive system, and witchcraft. The management included using herbal plants, insects, foam excreted during seizures and urine of the person living with epilepsy. 3. Views of traditional healers collaborating with health professionals when managing epilepsy in selected rural areas of Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces (South Africa). The study's findings revealed two themes: a perspective on collaboration in epilepsy treatment and strategies to enhance its implementation. Most traditional healers were unaware of the official collaboration in managing epilepsy. When they found out about it, most of them were willing to collaborate with health professionals. 4. Experiences of people living with epilepsy regarding treatment and interventions in selected rural communities in Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces, South Africa. Three themes emerged from the data: experiences with care by traditional healers, experiences with care by faith-based healers, and experiences of care by professional nurses at local clinics. The findings revealed that the majority of people living with epilepsy preferred care provided by traditional healers and faith-based healers over modern medical treatment from the local clinics, even though they were not always effective. Modern treatment was usually considered later, causing delays in diagnosis and treatment. 5. Professional nurses’ experiences of managing epilepsy at limited resource rural facilities in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, South Africa. Four themes emerged from the data: experiences of professional nurses during the management of epilepsy, inadequate training in the management of epilepsy, insufficient supply of antiepileptic drugs, and late presentation to local clinics. 6. Which way to go? Exploring faith-based healers’ practices regarding the management of epilepsy in selected rural communities in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. This study found that faith-based healers had varied beliefs and misconceptions regarding the causes of epilepsy, significantly influencing the diagnosis and management of the condition. Misconceptions regarding the causes of epilepsy included evil spirits, demonic possession, difficulty breathing, and foam in the lungs. Traditional and faith-based management involved prayer, fasting, and consuming fresh milk and weak tea. However, no scientific evidence regarding this traditional management approach's potential anticonvulsive properties or pharmacokinetics could be provided. 7. Conceptual framework to provide culturally congruent care to people living with epilepsy in selected rural communities in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, South Africa. The study found that many patients were not receiving the necessary interventions because treatment preferences were greatly influenced by their cultural beliefs. 8. Development of culturally congruent interventions for people living with epilepsy in rural communities Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, South Africa. This study developed culturally congruent interventions that are sensitive and acceptable to the community members of Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces. Conclusion: Cultural beliefs, values, and practices significantly impact how epilepsy is perceived and managed in rural communities. Healthcare professionals must comprehend and honour these cultural norms when developing interventions for people with epilepsy. Healthcare professionals can enhance patient outcomes and increase acceptance of medical interventions by implementing culturally appropriate practices, such as engaging with community leaders or traditional healers to incorporate traditional healing practices into treatment interventions. DA - 2025-09-05 DB - ResearchSpace DP - Univen KW - Epilepsy KW - Culturally congruent KW - Faith-based healers KW - Intervention KW - People living with epilepsy KW - Traditional healers LK - https://univendspace.univen.ac.za PY - 2025 T1 - Culturally Congruent Interventions for People Living with Epilepsy in Selected Rural Communities of Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces TI - Culturally Congruent Interventions for People Living with Epilepsy in Selected Rural Communities of Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces UR - ER -