Practice of Traditional Uvulectomy and Associated Factors Among Mothers of Under Five Years Children in Sokoto State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Introduction: Traditional uvulectomy (TU) is one of the common negative cultural practices in Nigeria, particularly in the Northern Nigeria. The procedure persists in developing countries probably due to low socio-economic status and non-formal level of education. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, reasons, complications and factors associated with the practice of traditional uvulectomy among mothers of under five-year children (0-59 months) in Sokoto state, Nigeria. Methods: A community based cross sectional study that was conducted in Sokoto st State, Nigeria on 320 mothers with their under-five year children from 1 January st to 31 March 2021. The study participants were selected using multi stage sampling method. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information and throat examination was done for the children to confirm the practice of TU. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 22. The level of significance for Chi square was set at a p value of < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of TU is 59.1% among children under five years of age. The major reason for the practice of TU in most 93(29.1%) of the respondents for their U5 was because of tradition. The main complication after TU was fever 24(35.2%), followed by bleeding 18(26.5%). The respondent's educational status (p = 0.004) and occupation (p = 0.001) were associated with the practice of TU. Conclusion: Practice of traditional uvulectomy is high and is odue to traditional beliefs. Fever was the most common complication, educational status and occupation were associated with the practice.