Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Management of Traditional Medicine among People of Shopa Bultum, Arsi Negele Woreda, West Arsi Zone, Oromia, Southeast Ethiopia

Abstract

Background Information: In addition to the health care provided by the health facilities in developing countries, the population still largely depends on traditional healing systems for majority of diseased conditions. Traditional medicine covers a wide variety of therapies and practices which varies from country to country and region to region It should be used rationally to get health benefits with minimized adverse effects without delay in healing from poor knowledge, attitude, practice and management. Objective: The study was conducted to assess the knowledge, Attitude, practice and management of traditional medicine among the community of Shopa Bultum Kebele, Arsi Negele, West Arsi Zone. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 151 sampled individuals out of a total of 1113 population who lives in the community. Individuals were interviewed by trained data collectors using structured questionnaire. Data was checked for completeness, coded and analyzed manually, Association between different variables was drawn and tested for significance by using chi-square. Result: A total of 151 study populations were interviewed and (69.53%) had knowledge on more than three types of traditional medicine. Most of the respondents (71.52%) preferred traditional medicine for its affordability, accessibility and acceptability. The most common traditional practice was medical herbalism (79.47%). some of the respondents were (35.76%) prefer to keep their knowledge as a secret. (72.85%) of the respondents manage their acute/ chronic illness by both self- medication and visiting TMP. Conclusion: The study has identified different types of traditional medicine and their usage which may be important part of health care system if they are integrated to modern heath care system after having further study results on their constituents. Source of information on traditional medicine for most of respondents were family and relatives Recommendation: The concerned bodies and authorities of the community should consider integration of the traditional system to modern health care system and documentation of traditional medicine should be encouraged to preserve knowledge of TM. In addition to this focus should be given to traditional medicinal plants use and further research should be encouraged on the issue.