The aim of this study was to determine BHPs’ views on collaboration with THPs in Tutume sub district, identify
collaboration activities that have been going on and determine approaches to collaboration that are acceptable to BHPs.
A cross sectional survey was conducted with a convenient sample of 60 biomedicine health practitioners. The
sample was drawn from two primary hospitals and clinics in Tutume Sub-District, Botswana. A pre-tested self
administered questionnaire with open- and closed ended questions was used to obtain information.
Majority of BHPs were in favour of collaboration despite the low levels of collaboration with THPs and low
levels of awareness of the policy on collaboration. Patient referral was the preferred approach to collaboration
but majority of BHPs would not refer patients to THPs. Despite the fact that BHPs were not familiar with most
traditional practices they were of the opinion that they will not learn anything from THPs but were favourable
towards exchange of information and biomedical skills. We conclude that BHPs were not ready to collaborate with
THPs in HIV and AIDS care. BHPs wanted collaboration to be on their terms i.e. they prefer the collaboration to be
limited to one way referrals from TPHs to BHPs, they will teach THPs but they were not willing to learn from
them and they had negative opinions of the traditional health practice. Therefore, lack of specific guidelines on
collaboration negatively affected collaborative efforts in the sub-district.