Predictors of use of traditional medicine by patients with sexually transmitted infections in southwest Uganda.

OBJECTIVES

We studied the predictors for use of traditional medicine among patients with sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

DESIGN

We interviewed a consecutive sample of patients with STIs.

SETTINGS: Mbarara and Bushenyi districts in southwestern Uganda.

SUBJECTS: Two hundred and twenty-four (224) patients presenting with STIs who used allopathic (101) or traditional medicine (123).

OUTCOME MEASURES: Using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, patients answered questions regarding their socioeconomic conditions, STI symptoms, and attitudinal beliefs, normative and self-efficacy beliefs toward use of traditional medicine.

RESULTS

The independent predictors of using traditional medicine were (1) presenting with genital ulcers as a symptom [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR 3.45) 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14-10.41], (2) presenting with a positive syphilis test (AOR 9.67, 95% CI 2.70-34.11), (3) having had STI symptoms for more than 30 days (AOR 3.61, 95% CI 1.28-11.58), (4) not presenting with urethral discharge as a symptom (AOR 12.56, 95% CI 5.37-19.87), (5) believing that traditional medicine prevents (AOR 4.53, 95% CI 1.89-11.92), or completely cures STIs (AOR 14.72, 95% CI 2.15-50.27), (6) being likely to use medicine recommended by traditional healers (AOR 17.60, 95% CI 2.89-40.01), (7) and being unlikely to be influenced by allopathic health workers in choice of type of medicine (AOR 15.98, 95% CI 3.52-72.48).

CONCLUSIONS

Use of traditional medicine is influenced by symptoms of STI and by having positive beliefs about traditional medicine and traditional healers.