title: Copper sulphate use in South African traditional medicine.
abstract: Copper (Cu) is an essential element to humans; however, exposure to elevated concentrations through occupational hazard and/or environmental means may be detrimental. This paper provides results of a cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of copper sulphate (CuSO4) use in South African traditional medicine by traditional health practitioners (THPs) and details the use thereof. A total of 201 THPs were enrolled from two main municipal areas of KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa). Information on demographic characteristics of THPs, reasons for using or not using CuSO4as well as administration methods and age groups of recipients were collected. Of the 201 THPs interviewed, 145 (72 %) use CuSO4for healing purposes. The use of CuSO4was strongly associated with gender (p = 0.009) where the proportion of CuSO4users was higher for female than male THPs. CuSO4was reportedly administered to individuals of all ages, including infants and children. The main routes of administration were enema (n = 110; 76 %), oral (n = 40; 28 %) and use in bath (n = 40; 28 %). The reasons cited for use are diverse and included skin rashes (n = 43; 30 %), aches, pains and swelling (n = 38; 28 %) as well as sexually transmitted diseases (n = 28; 19 %). This study identified a high prevalence of THPs using CuSO4for healing purposes. These findings support the need to regulate South African traditional medicine to safeguard the user.
authors.affiliation: Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa. renee.street@mrc.ac.za.|Discipline of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. renee.street@mrc.ac.za.
authors.forename: Renée A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Street
authors.affiliation: Biostatistics Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa.
authors.forename: Gaëtan M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Kabera
authors.affiliation: Biostatistics Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Connolly
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D003150:Community Health Workers; D019327:Copper Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional / Q000379:methods*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013019:South Africa
chemical_list: D019327:Copper Sulfate
keywords: Blue stone; Sociocultural practices; Traditional health practitioners; Traditional medicine