Pattern and determinants of use of traditional treatments in children attending Gaafar Ibnauf Children's Hospital, Sudan.

Traditional Sudanese medicine is based on experiences of every day people, systems of taboos, customs and deep-rooted traditions. This is a cross-sectional, hospital-based study done in Gaafar Ibnauf Children's Hospital including inpatient and outpatient subjects from October 2009 to January 2010, to identify the pattern and determinants of use, prevalence and commonest types of traditional treatments in Sudanese children. Of the hundred interviewed families 70% were using traditional treatments, causing delay in presentation to hospital in 24% of children. Eighty seven percent of illiterate mothers used traditional treatments while only 46% of secondary education mothers used it. Percentage of use of traditional treatments increased from 61.5% to 88.9% with the increase in child's age. The commonest traditional treatment used was sesame oil (77%), followed by cautery (40%). Sesame oil was used mainly for flu and to maintain health. Only two mothers practiced removal of canines for reasons of vomiting and diarrhea. All mothers believed that mint, hilba and harjal are effective but 79% of them believed that cautery is not effective; 74% thought that sesame oil is effective while only 56% believed that rice water is effective. All mothers who practiced removal of canines thought that it is not effective. Except for cutting the uvula, most of practiced treatments had no significant sequelae. A quarter of studied mothers used rice water to treat vomiting and diarrhea, which we consider a useful healthy practice. Health education is needed for mothers through mass media and in health facilities.