DETERMINANTS OF THE USE OF TRADITIONAL EYE MEDICATION IN A SEMI-URBAN COMMUNITY IN SOUTHERN NIGERIA.

Background: The use of traditional eye medication is still practised in some communities in Nigeria.

Aim: To assess the determinants of the use of traditional eye medication (TEM) by adults in Ekiadolor community.

Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study on the determinants of the use of traditional eye medication among adults was done between the months of September and November 2011 in Ekiadolor community in Edo state, Nigeria.

Results: Out of the 430 participants in this study, 57.2% were females and 42.8% males. Majority of the respondents (92.1%) knew about TEM. The prevalence of the use of TEM was 48.7%. Affordability (21.8%) was the main reason for the use of TEM. The male gender, persons of low socio economic class and people that lacked formal education were more likely to use TEM (p=0.001).

Conclusion: The determinants of the use of traditional eye medication in this community are affordability, low socio economic status and lack of formal education. Formal education is of great importance, as this will go a long way in addressing the issues directly relating to the use of traditional eye medication in our communities.