Exploring traditional birth control methods, traditional medicines used for bleeding control and termination of pregnancy among Suri People, South West Ethiopia, 2022

Abstract

Background: Traditional practices and remedies have been used to maintain health, prevent sickness, and/or treat it throughout human history. The treatment of severe bleeding, stopping pregnancies, and other gynecologic conditions have all been addressed by women using these techniques. Even though research has been done to understand more about these concerns, particularly in developing countries and in particular in our own country, they are still not adequately addressed. The purpose of this study was to learn more about the traditional treatments and remedies used by women in pastoralist communities in Residents of south Western Ethiopia. Objective: To Assess and explore the traditional birth control methods, traditional medicines used for bleeding control and termination of pregnancy among Suri People, South West Ethiopia, 2022 Methods: An exploratory study was conducted at selected kebeles of Suri District, South West, Ethiopia from February 1 to August 30 /2022. Systematic random sampling and purposive sampling technique was implemented for quantitative and qualitative study respectively. Result: A total of 73 People participated in qualitative study and 422 women participated in the quantitative study, with making 100% response rate. The proportion of traditional family planning practice , abortion, and bleeding control were 36.7%,38%, and 36% respectively. Rope tying (19.6%), movement restriction (30.8%), and moon cycle(49.6%) were tradition family planning practice. Blood tree(28%),Shawly tree(38%) and Sitch lady(34%) were used as bleeding control. The root of banana (15%), the root of maize (19%), Teteracycle with alcohol (14%), Quartum (17%), boiled alcohol (15%), and soot grass (20%), leave olive and salty soil were the most common traditional medicine used for termination of pregnancy. Conclusion: Suri women primarily use the calendar method of family planning to prevent pregnancy. They also use various plants, alcohol, and drugs to interrupt pregnancy as well as blood and shawily tree to manage bleeding during ( heavy menstrual, abortion, and postpartum periods). To help people to use safe methods and avoid those that have a negative impact on mothers, it is imperative to learn more about the value of these traditional methods.