Assessment of Utilization of Traditional Medicine and Its Influences Among Parents of Children, in Gindeberet Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Objective: Up to 80% of people in Ethiopia practice traditional medicine. However, the prevalence of parents using conventional medicine on their kids and related factors were not adequately examined. Therefore, in Gindeberet Woreda Oromia, Ethiopia, in 2017, this study was carried out to evaluate traditional medicine use by parents for their kids and its factors among parents of children. Methodology: The study was conducted on a cross-section of the community. The data were presented using descriptive statistics as well as inferential statistics. Finally, multiple logistic regression, binary, and odds ratio analyses were utilized to examine the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. Results: This survey covered 267 households in total. A total of 222 parents, or 79.4%, had utilized TM for their kids. Only 8 (3%) parents said they preferred conventional to modern medicine. Herbal medicine, massage, and religion treatment each made up 34.4%, 25.9%, and 11.8% of the major therapies used. In this study, the use of traditional medicine by parents for their children was linked to a medium monthly income Religious belief [AOR= 3.17(1.26, 7.93), cultural belief [AOR= 3.01(1.16, 7.83), and short duration of illness [AOR=3.11(1.07, 9.02)] are all (500-850) [AOR: 0.25(0.08, 0.78)]. Conclusion: Despite having a low preference, parents frequently give traditional medication to their kids. Due consideration must be given to the efficacy of claimed interventions by pertinent parties when integrating traditional medicine into modern medicine. For a greater understanding of how traditional medicine is used by children, further research should be conducted across different locations, taking into consideration both parental and child characteristics.