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Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has gained high acceptance in the management of children's illness globally. Different CAM modalities are used for different types of purposes. However, little is known in Ethiopia about the use of CAM during childhood illnesses. This study explores parents' experience and views on the use of CAM for their under-5 children.
Method: A qualitative, descriptive study using semi-structured questions was conducted in Addis Ababa. A total of 10 parents who visited an outpatient pediatric department at Yeka Kotebe General Hospital, participated in the study. Purposive sampling was used to select caregivers who had children under the age of five years. Data was collected by the investigator through face to face interviews using semi structured interview guide. Interviews were audio taped, the audios were transcribed and translated verbatim. Open Code Software 4.02 version was used to assist coding. Then, the transcribed word text of the interviews was coded, categorized and grouped into themes according to the study objectives.
Result: The parents had used some remedies for their children at some point, mainly as a quick relief till they reached a health facility. Different types of CAM were used, that includes mostly herbs and steam baths. The major source of information were families and neighbors. Upper respiratory tract infections were the main reason for using CAM in children. Parents had a different view on the use of these modalities in under 5 children, with the majority of them stating that it depends on the type of treatment utilized and some were generally against the use in any children. Among various factors that led the families for deciding on utilizing CAM, its availability and accessibility were two main reasons followed
by cultural beliefs.
Conclusion: This study revealed the main reasons for utilizing CAM were its ease of access and availability. Symptoms of Upper respiratory infections (URIs) were the top type of illness for leading parents for the use of CAM on their children. Health care workers must use every opportunity to educate mothers to bring their children to healthcare facilities to avoid delay in treatment of life threating acute respiratory illnesses.
......................................... Thesis available at ACIPH Library |
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