ABSTRACT
The joint program's experience in Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevention during the first year convinced AIDS Communication/AIDS Control and Prevention of the importance of traditional healers in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS and Sexually tranmitted diseases (STD) control in South Africa. The preliminary workshop for South African healers was held between November 22 and November 27, 1992 at the Tzitzikama Forest Inn, 160 km from Port Elizabeth. Immediately prior to the workshop, a knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices survey of participating healers was conducted for both formative and baseline purposes. A male Tsonga-speaking traditional healer from Soweto commented that he routinely advised his clients to become circumcised as a way to prevent STDs. There needs to be empirical research to determine the extent to which men may become circumcised as a result of preventive STD or AIDS education from traditional healers. Healers recognize and treat many STDs, and many recognize the causal connection between STDs and HIV transmission.
