Alternative & Integrative Medicine

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Parental Traditional Medicine Use for Children in Motta Town, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia, 2014

Abstract

Tenaw Gualu Melesse, Yohannes Ayalew, Girma Alem Getie, Haymanot Zeleke Mitiku and Girmay Tsegaye

Background: Traditional medicine is the ancient and culture bound medical practice which existed in human societies before the application of modern science to health. Around 80% of Ethiopians relies on traditional medicines. Although some traditional medical practices in children are useful and contributing positively and need to be strengthen, some are harmful from the perspective of health. In Ethiopia, studies conducted so far are very limited and focused on adults. As a result, this study was conducted to assess the prevalence and factors associated with parental traditional medicine practice for children. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess prevalence and factors associated with parental traditional medicine use for children in Motta Town. Methods: Community based cross-sectional study design was used. Data was collected using structured interviewer administered questionnaire. The study was conducted among 381 households selected using systematic random sampling method. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to present the data. Odds ratio, binary and multiple logistic regression were used to assess the association between dependent and independent variables. Result: It was found that 88.2% of parents had used either forms of traditional medicine for their children. The top therapies used were herbs (66.9%), religious therapies (52.8%), massage (22.8%), bone settler (21.8%) and traditional birth attendants (13.1%). Female parents, low educational level, accessibility of traditional medicine, low price and perceived effectiveness were significantly associated with parental traditional medicine use for children. Conclusion and recommendation: There was high parental traditional medicine practice for children in this study. Female parents, low educational status, easily accessibility, cheap in price and perceived effectiveness were significant predictors. The integration of traditional medicine as part of modern medicine and controlling mechanism should be strengthen. Community education and further research on its efficacy and safety should also be done.