Perspectives on the use and integration of traditional medicine in maternal healthcare: Experiences of traditional practitioners, midwives, and community health workers in Lesotho

Abstract

With limited healthcare facilities in sub-Saharan Africa, many females rely on traditional medicines (TM) to address their maternal health needs. The World Health Organization (WHO) has advocated for the integration of TM into the National Healthcare System to improve health outcomes. This study explored the perspectives of traditional healers, midwives, and community healthcare workers on the integration of TM into maternal healthcare in Lesotho to understand the pathways and barriers to integration. The study was conducted in three villages in Lesotho: (1) Ha-Shalabeng (urban), (2) Ha-Molengoane (peri-urban), and (3) Ha-Setoko (rural). The study employed an exploratory qualitative design. The 10 participants were selected purposively and qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using a thematic analysis. The following three main themes were identified: (1) factors influencing the use of TM during pregnancy; (2) stakeholders’ perceptions of the integration of TM into maternal healthcare; and (3) challenges to successful integration. The findings indicated that TM plays a crucial role in maternal healthcare, with various factors influencing its utilisation. The integration of TM into maternal healthcare has been impeded by multiple factors that need to be addressed.
Contribution: Achieving successful integration will require collaborative efforts and active engagement with all relevant stakeholders.