Understanding Social Determinants of Health: Lessons from a South African Rural Community

Abstract

This study has been influenced by the growing health trends around the world. There has been growing interest in Social Determinants of Health (SDH) and more attention has been given to African indigenous practices. SDH in other words clarify why different social groups expirience different health outcomes. In this regard specific factors remain to be identified.  This study examines different SDH vis-a-vis indigenous health care practices in a South African rural community. The researcher conducted indepth interviews with mature participants aged between (18-65 years). Criterion Purposive Sampling was used, gender inequa to select participants from Dikgale community in  the Limpopo province in South Africa. Thematic Content Analysis was employed to analyse data from the interviews. This research identified seven (7) social determinants of health factors which pose a great danger to the health of the Dikgale community members. It has been discovered that the community members prefer traditional health care systems compared to the western health models. Most of the health problems in Dikgale community as cited by the participants enamate from social derteminants such as housing, income, unemployment, cultural taboos or restrictions, different health care systems, gender inequality and education. This case study emphasised the signifcance of addressing SDH in the administration of healthcare programmes in low socio-economic contexts