Shangaan patients and traditional healers management strategies of hypertension in Limpopo Province.

The study explored the cultural care beliefs, values and attitudes of Shangaans patients' and traditional healers' management strategies of hypertension in the Limpopo Province. The study aimed to describe the cultural values, beliefs and practices including taboos, rituals and religion within the world-view of the Shangaans. The study was undertaken in the Mopani region of the Greater Giyani area, with the purpose of recommending improvements to patient care in this area. Data collection was done by conducting focus groups and individual interviews. The following themes emerged: Hypertension, The traditional healer: the instrumental role, Traditional medicine versus Western medicine, Magico-religious healings, Cultural beliefs of Shangaans and hypertension, Experiences of hypertensive patients with regard to traditional healers and hypertension.