PREVALENCE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH PARENTAL TRADITIONAL MEDICINE USE FOR CHILDREN IN DEBRE-TABOR TOWN, NORTHWEST ETHIOPIA 2019.

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Traditional medicine (TM) is the ancient and culture-bound medical practices which have existed in human societies before the application of modern science through enabling factors like community resources and income. Ethiopian’s use Traditional medicine to get relief from different health problems across different ages and it is reported that more than 80 % of our society use traditional medicines. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with parental traditional medicine use for children in Debre Tabor Town. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on parental traditional medicine use for children and Cluster sampling technique was used. Data were collected using a pre-tested semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was coded and entered to Epi info version 7.2.0.1 and exported to SPSS 20.0 for data analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were done to see which independent variables have an association with the dependent variable, and P value of less than 0.05 was considered as significant at 95% CI. Result: The study was conducted among 559 study participants and the prevalence of parental traditional medicine use for children was 82 %( 95%CI78%-85%). Among the total participants 370(66.2%) were females and most of the participants were orthodox by their religion (89.5%). Sex, parental traditional medicine use for themselves, monthly income, numbers of children (<18 years), supposed effectiveness, and low in price of traditional medicine were as independent factors of parental traditional medicine use for children. Conclusion and Recommendation: Parental Traditional medicine use for children is still a public health practices. Therefore, triangulated based research and detailed children characteristics should be investigated and appropriate reporting and recording mechanisms should be in place. Keywords: Children, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia, Parent, Traditional medicine.