Table 2.
Characteristics of TM use for children with sore throat, past or present
| Use of TM | Number of subjects (%) (n = 73) |
|---|---|
| TM for sore throat, current illness | 17 (23) |
| TM for sore throat, past illness | 70 (95) |
| Mean number of visits (range) | |
| Number of TM encounters for a similar illness in past | 2.45 (1–10) |
| Primary reason(s) for seeking TM evaluation* | Number of subjects (%) (n = 73) |
| Fever | 58 (79) |
| Throat pain | 32 (44) |
| Difficulty swallowing | 12 (16) |
| Not eating/breastfeeding | 22 (30) |
| Vomiting | 8 (11) |
| Joint pain/swelling | 2 (3) |
| Swollen tonsils | 2 (3) |
| Congestion | 2 (3) |
| Diarrhea | 1 (1) |
| Headache | 1 (1) |
| Difficulty breathing | 1 (1) |
| Failure to thrive | 1 (1) |
| Body aches | 1 (1) |
| Reported improved symptoms following TM visit | 65 (89) |
| Consulted multiple traditional healers | 12 (16) |
| Medication prescribed by TM practitioner† | |
| Medication prescribed during visit | 50 (68) |
| Medication not prescribed during visit | 23 (34) |
| Antimicrobials | |
| Penicillin V | 26 (52) |
| Ampicillin–cloxacillin | 4 (8) |
| Amoxicillin–Clavulanate | 1 (2) |
| Tetracycline | 1 (2) |
| Cloxacillin | 1 (2) |
| Analgesics | |
| Paracetamol | 12 (24) |
| Diclofenac | 2 (4) |
| Aspirin | 1 (2) |
| Artenum | 1 (2) |
| Diclofenac | 1 (2) |
| Coartem | 1 (2) |
| Unknown medication | 7 (12) |
TM = traditional medicine.
*
Some reported multiple reasons (total > 100%).
†
Some traditional healers prescribed multiple medications (total > 100%).