First-year Health Sciences Students’ Perspectives on Indigenous Knowledge and Medical Practices

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South Africa boasts a variety of herbal medicines based on the availability of medicinal plants utilised by diverse communities for healing. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of Health Sciences students at a South African university, including cohorts of future doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists and occupational therapists, towards the use of herbal medicines as alternative medicine. A closed-ended questionnaire was administered to 144 students in their first year of study. The results revealed that all student cohorts had knowledge of herbal medicines with three cohorts expressing reservations about self-treatment. Although most cohorts reported personal use of herbal medicines, they relied on their experiences or colleagues’ recommendations for self-treatment. The cohorts acknowledged the use of herbal products by the industry but perceived limited availability in shopping outlets. Most physiotherapy, nursing and pharmacy students viewed traditional healers as a last resort and were uncertain about choosing a pharmacist or orthodox doctor over a traditional healer who would provide natural remedies such as herbal medicines. Notably, the students emphasised the need for scientific inquiry to validate the use of herbal medicines. Using the three pillars of sustainable development, the findings indicate that the vast majority of all cohorts in this study are aware of the cultural and social contribution that herbal medicines make to sustainable healthcare. A sizeable majority of all cohorts apart from the nursing students appreciate the environmental contribution to sustainable healthcare, but only a minority of all cohorts acknowledge the economic contribution herbal medication can make to sustainable healthcare. The current Health Sciences curriculum does not explicitly include content on the use of indigenous medicines including herbal medicines. Since most of South Africa’s population relies on herbal medicines, it is essential to incorporate these topics into the Health Sciences curriculum, equipping future doctors and allied health professionals with better knowledge and communication skills.