Attitude and its Associated Factors among Adults towards Traditional Eye Medicine in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract Background: Traditional medicines are commonly practiced in Africa. It is believed to be alternative health care used in the developing world. It is a more widely available and affordable alternative to pharmaceutical drugs. In Africa, about 13.2- 82.3% of the population utilizes traditional eye medicine. This study aimed to assess attitude and its associated factors among adults towards traditional eye medicine in Gondar city, North West Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 600 study participants using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 computer software. Association and strength between the outcome variable and independent variables were determined using the odds ratio with a 95 % confidence interval. Results: A total of 633 subjects were included in the study with a 95 % response rate. From the total study subjects, 292 (48.7 %) (95% CI: 44.7-52.7%)) had a good attitude towards traditional eye medicine use. Variables like being male (AOR=2.00(95% CI: 1.23-2.68)), family history of traditional eye medicine use (AOR=3.31(95% CI: 2.01-5.47)), availability of traditional healer (AOR=1.81(95% CI: 1.12-2.95)) and absence of health insurance (AOR=1.63(95% CI: 1.14-2.55)) were variables significantly associated with good attitude towards traditional eye medicine use. Conclusion: The result of this study shows that attitude towards traditional eye medicine use for the treatment of eye disease was fairly good. It indicates that almost half of the study participants had a good attitude towards traditional eye medicine use. Even though the attitude is fairly good, still it needs improvement. Male sex, family history of traditional eye medicine use, availability of traditional healers, and absence of health insurance had a statistically significant relationship with good attitude towards traditional eye medicine use. Community awareness creation through the joint up effort by the health ministry of Ethiopia and traditional healers about traditional eye medicine use can help to build the right perception and reduce the risk of complications. Keywords: Attitude, Traditional Eye Medicine, Gondar City, Ethiopia