An unrecognized key population? Traditional treatment practices associated with HIV risk among traditional healers in rural South Africa.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To understand the risk of HIV acquisition through occupational exposure among rural South African traditional healers, notably via the practice of traditional skin incisions with razors.

Design

A random sample of traditional healers living in South Africa participated in a cross-sectional survey that included a rapid HIV test.

Setting

Rural Bushbuckridge district of Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Participants

Traditional healers.

Intervention

Pretest counseling, posttest counseling, and referral to care if HIV seropositive.

Main outcome measure(s)

HIV infection.

Results

Among healers who reported a previous positive test result or accepted an HIV test (96%), HIV prevalence was 30% (95% confidence interval: 23-37%). During their careers

SUBMITTER: Audet CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7674239 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature