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     Asian Journal of Medical Sciences

    Abstract
2011(Vol.3, Issue:3)
Article Information:

Parents’ Attitude to Abdominal Scarification as Therapy for Splenic Enlargement in Children: A Community-Based Study in Southern Nigeria

Omokhoa A. Adeleye and Peter F. Iyeikhian
Corresponding Author:  Omokhoa Adeleye 
Submitted: 2011 May, 17
Accepted: 2011 June, 13
Published: 2011 June, 20
Abstract:
This study was undertaken to assess the attitude gaps of parents regarding abdominal scarification of children as a treatment for splenic enlargement. The study was conducted in a rural community in southern Nigeria, a country that is stable and holoendemic for malaria. With a descriptive cross-sectional design, 262 parents of children at least 2-years old were selected using random clusters and participated in questionnairebased interviews. The results showed that 76.7% of the respondents believed that abdominal scarification was effective in treating splenic enlargement and 64.9% had at least one child so scarified. Only 34.7% (91/262) stated fever (accepted as correct for a lay, low-literate population) as the cause of splenic enlargement; others stated evil spirits, witches, etc as causes. Lower educational levels were significantly associated with having a child with abdominal scarification [Logistic regression: p = 0.034; OR = 1.37 (95% CI = 1.06-3.34)]. Older age, but not lower education, significantly favored the opinion that splenic enlargement should be treated with abdominal scarification [Logistic regression: p = 0.012; OR = 2.04 (95% CI = 1.17-3.54)]. The study demonstrates the profoundness of the belief in the therapeutic value of abdominal scarification and the continued threat the act poses to child survival. Education on malaria and splenic enlargement and the right management are required at community levels and from early stages in schools.

Key words:  Abdominal scarification, child mortality, malaria, Nigeria, splenomegaly, traditional medicine,
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Cite this Reference:
Omokhoa A. Adeleye and Peter F. Iyeikhian, . Parents’ Attitude to Abdominal Scarification as Therapy for Splenic Enlargement in Children: A Community-Based Study in Southern Nigeria. Asian Journal of Medical Sciences, (3): 134-138.
ISSN (Online):  2040-8773
ISSN (Print):   2040-8765
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