A Delphi Study on the Management of Female Infertility by Homeopaths in South Africa

ackground: Infertility affects millions of people worldwide and has a negative social and psychological impact on the lives of infertile couples. Homeopathy offers an alternative treatment option for female infertility; however, there is currently no research describing how homeopaths manage this co...

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Main Authors: Robyn Anderson, Janice Pellow, Tebogo Tsele-Tebakang, Elizabeth Solomon
Format: Article
Language:Afrikaans
Published: AOSIS 2024-11-01
Series:Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/2771
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author Robyn Anderson
Janice Pellow
Tebogo Tsele-Tebakang
Elizabeth Solomon
author_facet Robyn Anderson
Janice Pellow
Tebogo Tsele-Tebakang
Elizabeth Solomon
author_sort Robyn Anderson
collection DOAJ
description ackground: Infertility affects millions of people worldwide and has a negative social and psychological impact on the lives of infertile couples. Homeopathy offers an alternative treatment option for female infertility; however, there is currently no research describing how homeopaths manage this condition in their practice. Aim: To determine homeopathic practitioners’ approaches to managing female infertility. Method: The electronic Delphi technique consisting of three rounds was used to establish consensus among homeopaths. Twelve registered homeopaths with a minimum of 5 years of clinical experience in managing female infertility participated, 11 of whom completed the study. In round one, participants elaborated on interventions found beneficial in clinical practice for female infertility. Responses were qualitatively analysed to create a structured list of items; participants rated their level of agreement with these items on a 5-point Likert scale in the second and third rounds. Consensus was determined for items that reached an agreement level of 75% or more. Results: Thirty-two statements achieved expert consensus, which were placed into the following categories: homeopathic treatment, dietary and lifestyle modifications, supplementation and referrals. Conclusion: The results of this study provide a baseline depicting the homeopathic approach to treating female infertility. Several research gaps have been identified and further studies are necessary to explore these interventions to improve future patient care. Contribution: This study highlights the various approaches used by homeopathic practitioners in the management of female infertility.
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issn 1025-9848
2071-9736
language Afrikaans
publishDate 2024-11-01
publisher AOSIS
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series Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
spelling doaj-art-308d644e2b64428ca8162a13532d54db2025-08-20T02:50:38ZafrAOSISHealth SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences1025-98482071-97362024-11-01290e1e710.4102/hsag.v29i0.27711191A Delphi Study on the Management of Female Infertility by Homeopaths in South AfricaRobyn Anderson0Janice Pellow1Tebogo Tsele-Tebakang2Elizabeth Solomon3Department of Complementary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, JohannesburgDepartment of Complementary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, JohannesburgDepartment of Complementary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, JohannesburgDepartment of Complementary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburgackground: Infertility affects millions of people worldwide and has a negative social and psychological impact on the lives of infertile couples. Homeopathy offers an alternative treatment option for female infertility; however, there is currently no research describing how homeopaths manage this condition in their practice. Aim: To determine homeopathic practitioners’ approaches to managing female infertility. Method: The electronic Delphi technique consisting of three rounds was used to establish consensus among homeopaths. Twelve registered homeopaths with a minimum of 5 years of clinical experience in managing female infertility participated, 11 of whom completed the study. In round one, participants elaborated on interventions found beneficial in clinical practice for female infertility. Responses were qualitatively analysed to create a structured list of items; participants rated their level of agreement with these items on a 5-point Likert scale in the second and third rounds. Consensus was determined for items that reached an agreement level of 75% or more. Results: Thirty-two statements achieved expert consensus, which were placed into the following categories: homeopathic treatment, dietary and lifestyle modifications, supplementation and referrals. Conclusion: The results of this study provide a baseline depicting the homeopathic approach to treating female infertility. Several research gaps have been identified and further studies are necessary to explore these interventions to improve future patient care. Contribution: This study highlights the various approaches used by homeopathic practitioners in the management of female infertility.https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/2771female infertilitydelphi techniquehomeopathysupplementsdietlifestyle.
spellingShingle Robyn Anderson
Janice Pellow
Tebogo Tsele-Tebakang
Elizabeth Solomon
A Delphi Study on the Management of Female Infertility by Homeopaths in South Africa
Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
female infertility
delphi technique
homeopathy
supplements
diet
lifestyle.
title A Delphi Study on the Management of Female Infertility by Homeopaths in South Africa
title_full A Delphi Study on the Management of Female Infertility by Homeopaths in South Africa
title_fullStr A Delphi Study on the Management of Female Infertility by Homeopaths in South Africa
title_full_unstemmed A Delphi Study on the Management of Female Infertility by Homeopaths in South Africa
title_short A Delphi Study on the Management of Female Infertility by Homeopaths in South Africa
title_sort delphi study on the management of female infertility by homeopaths in south africa
topic female infertility
delphi technique
homeopathy
supplements
diet
lifestyle.
url https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/2771
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