Prevalence and factors associated with use of traditional medicine to induce abortion amongst female aged 18-49 years in lira district

Abstract

Background: In Uganda about 58.8% of women use traditional medicine to induce abortion. The use of traditional medicine in treatment of other infections has been reported among the general population. This study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with the use of traditional medicine to induce abortion among female of child bearing age (18-49 years in Lira district. Methods: A mixed method research design with both quantitative and qualitative data collection approaches were enjoyed. Data was collected from 95 women under post abortion care using semi-structured questionnaires and interview guide for Key-informants. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 at univariate, bivariate and multivariate levels, while qualitative data was analyzed with thematic analysis. Results: The prevalence of use of traditional medicine to induce abortion was 15.8% and in the treatment of other diseases was at 33%. Associated factors includes level of education (AOR:3.800; P<0.05), knowledge about TM (AOR:2.400, p=004), family support (AOR: 3.243, p=0.004), community support on the use of AT (AOR; 4.816, p=0.008), tradition beliefs (AOR; 0.169, P=0.006), religion (AOR;6.00, P=0.006), cultural norms (AOR; 23.020, P<0.05), and inadequacy of drugs in the health facility (AOR; 056, P<0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of the researcher recommended that the government increases the high at 15,8%. Therefore, the researcher recommended that the government increases the financial support for maternal and child health services; increasing accessibility to health services and community -based approaches to the priority. Keywords: prevalence, traditional medicine, abortion.