Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2022 Jun 14:10:915722.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.915722. eCollection 2022.

Practice of Traditional Medicine and Associated Factors Among Residents in Eastern Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Shambel Nigussie  1 , Abduro Godana  1 , Abdi Birhanu  2 , Tilahun Abdeta  3 , Fekade Demeke  4 , Magarsa Lami  3 , Kabtamu Gemechu  5 , Addis Eyeberu  3 , Kasahun Bogale  5 , Deribe Bekele Dechasa  3 , Tamirat Getachew  3 , Abraham Negash  3 , Siraj Aliyi  3 , Fentahun Meseret  3 , Haregeweyn Kibret  3 , Bekelu Berhanu Nigatu  3 , Gebisa Dirirsa  6 , Tilahun Bete Gebremariam  3 , Kefelegn Bayu  6 , Yideg Abinew  3 , Dawud Wedaje Ali  3 , Fenta Wondimneh  3 , Ayichew Alemu  3 , Jemal Husen Dilebo  5 , Addisu Alemu  7 , Yadeta Dessie  7
Affiliations

Practice of Traditional Medicine and Associated Factors Among Residents in Eastern Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Shambel Nigussie et al. Front Public Health. .

Abstract

Introduction: Although the Practice of traditional medicine is accorded great importance worldwide, it seems to face a notable challenge. A notable challenge is the lack of a reference standard for determining the appropriate utilization of traditional medicine for patients. There is little evidence about the usual utilized traditional medicine in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to assess practice of traditional medicine and associated factors among residents in Eastern Ethiopia.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 20, 2022 to February 20, 2022. About 818 study participants were recruited using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews. The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 computer software. The association between an outcome variable and independent variables was assessed using binary logistic regression and the strength of association was presented using Adjusted Odd Ratio (AOR) with its 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Result: A total of 803 participants were included in the final analysis with a 98.2 % response rate. From the total study participants, 563 (70.1%) [95%CI: 66.8-73.3] had used traditional medicine in the past 6 months. Factors such as being farmer [AOR = 1.06; 95%CI: (1.03-3.7)], having a diploma degree or higher [AOR = 3.2, 95% CI (1.4-7.3)] and having no history of chronic disease [AOR = 0.21; 95% CI: (0.1-0.5)] were significantly associated traditional medicine practice.

Conclusion: The proportion of traditional medicine practice was high. The most commonly utilized traditional medicines were Damakase, Tenadam, Zingibil and Erate. A national health policy should give a great emphasize on rational utilization of traditional medicine.

Keywords: Eastern Ethiopia; Harari; practice; traditional medicine; utilization.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Multistage sampling which shows the sampling procedure to draw the study participants from source population.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Bodecker G. WHO Traditional Medicine, Better Science, Policy and Services for Health Development. Awaji Island: Imperial college press; (2000).
    1. Lariviere D. Nutritional Supplements Flexing Muscles as Growth Industry. Forbes. (2013). Available online at: http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidlariviere/2013/04/18/nutritional-supple...
    1. Barrett B, Kiefer D, Rabago D. Assessing the risks and benefits of herbal medicine: an overview of scientific evidence. Altern Ther Health Med. (1999) 5:40. - PubMed
    1. Elias AS, Bizatu M. Aspects of common traditional medical practices applied for under-five children in Ethiopia, Oromia Region, Eastern-Harargie District, Dadar Woreda, 2011 G.C. J Commut Med Health Educ. (2013).
    1. d'Avigdor E, Zemede A, Tesfaye A. The current status of knowledge of herbal medicine and medicinal plants in Fiche, Ethiopia. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. (2014) 10:38. 10.1186/1746-4269-10-38 - DOI - PMC - PubMed