Browsing by Author "Scina, Yonela."

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The life histories of traditional birth attendants in the context of changing reproductive health practices in uMzimkhulu, KwaZulu-Natal.
(2017) Scina, Yonela.; Naidu, Uma Maheshvari.
This is a study of the life histories of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) based in uMzimkhulu in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. The study sought to explore the life histories of the TBAs, their practices, rituals and attitudes. It further investigates the attitudes of women who make use of their services and those who prefer not to. TBAs fall into the cultural realm of traditional medicine and offer traditional medicine and rituals to pregnant women. uMzimkhulu is small town in a rural area where the use of traditional medicine is popular, regardless of free access to western health care facilities. Culture still plays an important role in this community, and for successful pregnancies, many women in the community seek the services of TBAs. This study has found that traditional medicine plays a ‘silent role’ in the health care system as many pregnant women continue to seek traditional sources of health care; in the case of uMzimkhulu, many of the participants preferred to use medicines prepared by TBAs during their pregnancies. The study adopted a qualitative research design. The research techniques included in-depth interviews and participant observation techniques. Interactions with the TBAs took place at their homes which allowed the researcher first-hand experience of the relationship between TBAs and the women that seek their services. Other interactions took place in the homes of the participating women and at the Rietvlei hospital where the health care practitioners work. Three theoretical perspectives were adopted in this study: African feminist theory, social identity theory and the social capital theory. The life histories of the TBAs contributed to a rich understanding of reproductive health care from the perspective of TBAs, their attitudes and experiences. Furthermore, a better understanding was gained of the practices they offer and the cultural meanings attached by those who seek the services of TBAs. This study has demonstrated the important role culture plays in the lives of the participants. Cultural background influenced many decisions made by the pregnant participants with regard to their health seeking behaviour. Despite efforts of the western hegemonic health care system practitioners to discourage women from using alternative traditional medicines, many continue to use these with the view that western medicine does not fully protect their pregnancies.
A qualitative study focusing on coping mechanisms for black diabetic women between the ages of 40-50 years.
(2012) Scina, Yonela.; Muzvidziwa, Victor Ngonidzashe.
This is a study on black diabetic women in Durban, UMlazi N Section in South Africa. The study seeks to explore the cultural meanings that are attached to diabetes as well as examine the coping mechanisms that the women in the study used to manage diabetes. The study further investigates the existence of social networks within the community where diabetic women live and how these networks enable women to cope with their condition. This study also discusses how women receive information at the clinic on how to manage their diabetes. The study adopts a qualitative research design. The research techniques that are used in the study are in-depth interviews and semi-structured interviews. Participant observation techniques were also adopted in this study. Interactions with the women took place at the clinic, their homes, and during the group meetings that they hold every month with Diabetes South Africa at the clinic. Participant observation managed to shed light of the diabetic women's lived experiences. Two theoretical perspectives were adopted in this study. These namely the social network theory and social capital theory. The women's background, family life experiences and networks all contributed to a rich understanding of issues and diabetic women's experiences. This study demonstrated the important role culture plays in the lives of the participants. Cultural background influenced a lot of decisions that the diabetic women made with regards to their health seeking behaviour. Cultural forces included religious and traditional beliefs‟ influences. The education that the women got at the clinic was good and it enabled them to manage their diabetes and to understand that diabetes is not umeqo or idliso.