Knowledge, attitude, practice and prevalence of traditional cauterization among patients in Massawa Hospital, Eritrea: a cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION: use of traditional cautery for the treatment of varied ailments is one of the most ancient and harmful traditional medical practices that is still in use. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude, practice and to estimate the prevalence of traditional cautery among patients visiting Massawa hospital. METHODS: a hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Massawa hospital from February 20 to April 20, 2019. The study enrolled all patients aged >18 years, non-critical and willing to participate. RESULTS: a total of 900 participants were enrolled in the study. The study was dominated by Muslims (81.4%) with a median age of 42 years (IQR: 20). Self-reported prevalence of traditional cauterization was found to be 43.6% and 63% of them did their latest cautery between 2011 and 2019. Metal rods were used as cauterant in 92.3% and 47.9% reported that traditional practitioners used the same cauterant for different people. One-third of the respondents reported that it is a safe practice and 47% had the understanding that it cannot transmit communicable diseases. Moreover, 90.4% of the study participants reported that they knew someone who did cautery. Respondents with poor knowledge (AOR=6.45, 95% CI: 4.69-8.87) and attitude (AOR=8.68, 95% CI: 6.31-11.95) were more likely to practice cauterization compared to those with good knowledge and attitude. CONCLUSION: the practice of cauterization in visitors of Massawa hospital was rampant which is mainly associated with poor knowledge and attitude of the respondents, limited access to health facilities and religious/cultural conviction.