1272ijirms

International Journal of Innovative Research in Medical Science (IJIRMS)
Volume 06, Issue 11, November 2021,
https://doi.org/10.23958/ijirms/vol06-i11/1272
www.ijirms.in 840
Original article
Why Patients Use Traditional Medicine in Burn
Mohammad Qtait, MSN, RN *1
, Farid Abu Liel MSN, RN 2
, Salwa Massad PHD 3
, Ayman Asfour RN 4
1
Arab American University, Palestine PhD Nursing Student
2
Faculty of Nursing, Arab American University, Palestine
3
Research Unit, Palestinian National Institute of Public Health, Ramallah, Palestine
4
Ministry of Health Palestine
*Corresponding author: Mohammad Qtait; mohamadtaha98@hotmail.com
Received 06 November 2021; Accepted 19 November 2021; Published 22 November 2021
Abstract
Background: People from different cultural and thinking backgrounds have used different forms of Traditional Medicine as a means to
managing their diseases or trauma. Objective: To know why people use the traditional medicine in burn. Methods: Use questionnaire and
divided tow section first demographic variable second section contain 13 items and divided three subsection to know why people go traditional
therapy (1) they are dissatisfied in some way with conventional treatment; (2) the patients' values, customs and (3) Beliefs and think. Additional
predictor variables explored included demographics. Design : Cross-sectional study was conducted in main governmental hospital contain burn
unite south of Palestine during the one year January 2020 to 31 December 2020 with burns and use traditional therapy admitted to burn unite
any percent. Result: admitted to burn unite in Hebron government hospital 290 patient in 2020 with percent 29% of admission use traditional
therapy. The study participants were; 53.0% males, child and more than 50%, and 46.1% from participant use alternative medicine before.
According to information to use 22% from participants, know from friends, 53.3% know from internet, 16.8 form media as radio and TV, 15%
know from family, 7% from participants know from health care worker as physician and nurses, the main dissatisfaction with conventional
medicine with percent 53%, the second cause the patients' values, customs with percent 46%, the third cause Beliefs and think 45%.
Conclusion: For use can, summary first for burn is convinced that traditional therapy is best than convention medicine, due not leave scar and
rapid healing based on experiment in. Society and elderly. Another explanation for using traditional medicine in burn think as philosophy no
side effect for medication the mixture that uses from nature not contain chemical material, and thought the body it's myself can use anything to
treatment the body.
Keyword: Traditional Medicine, Burn, Complementary Medicine, Palestine
1. Introduction
A significant number of people in Palestine utilize traditional
medicine. Among Palestinian 20% from admission to burn, unite
after used a traditional medicine (M. Qtait & Asfour). Palestine
people use traditional medicine in the first aid of burn with percent
40% (M. Qtait, Alekel, & Asfour, 2019).
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines traditional
therapy as the “sum total of the knowledge, skill, and practices
based on the theories, beliefs, and experiences indigenous to
different cultures, whether explicable or not, used in the
maintenance of health, as well as in the prevention, diagnosis,
improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness.”
Alternative medicine is 'not in the traditional field of
medicine.' It might be based rather than scientific conclusions on
historical or cultural traditions. Additional or alternative terms in
various places are used interchangeably with standard therapy
(Tabish, 2008). Various health practices that are not part of the
legacy of the country and not part of the prevailing medical system
are mentioned. There are 10 to 52 percent of individuals in
Western Industrialized Countries using CAM.(Bishop, Yardley, &
Lewith, 2008).
More than 90 per cent of the fatal brand in emerging or
low-income countries was reported by the World Health
Organization. Palestine is a youthful country, with 36.9% under 14
years of age (Ahuja & Bhattacharya, 2004). In the West Bank,
there are around 7,600 burn wounds yearly. Among those, more
than 65% are children (Palestine, 2018). Most burn wounds, almost
72%, are a result of singe burns from hot water, and almost 21%
are flame-related (MoH, 2013). Ordinarily, the sort of injury is
related to the age of the persistent, as children are more likely to
induce burn wounds, and flame-related wounds are more likely to
happen in grown-ups (MoH, 2013).
Optimal burn treatment demands a particular
multidisciplinary approach since the burn therapy team and strong
cooperation between the members depend on the physiotherapy of
the nursery, the doctor, the diet and other good outcomes for the
patient. (Greenfield, 2010.). The application of traditional therapy
is rhetorical and might include a health risk. All types of plants,
animals and minerals used in traditional contexts might be well

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recognized to cause to serious adverse reactions. (De Smet, 1991).
Along with education and poor health, most alternative health care
clients seem less deceptive of standard therapy than they do, as
they are more compatible with their own values, beliefs and health
and life philosophy. (Astin, 1998).
The first study in Palestine to know why go traditional
therapy to develop health sector. According to the researcher
experience in the burn unit, he found that the care of burn and give
perfect care less stay on hospital, proper treatment of burn and
avoided traditional therapy All of these factors outcome of burn,
affect the burn healing process and the curing time.
In Palestine study by Patient's reports to tertiary center late
after infection appear. A total of 50 burn cases were coming to
burn unite in 2019 infected burn post traditional therapy the study
period (M. Qtait & Asfour).
Most of literature talk about alternative medicine that has
used in the treatment in different diseases and the benefit of
alternative therapy some article talk about why use alternative
medicine and make theory as (Ray.1998). No alternative medicine
in Palestine literature and why, only medicinal plant book in
Palestine. The research hypothesis less satisfaction with traditional
medicine is reported. Traditional medicine is considered as more
consistent with the values, customs and nature of health and
disease of the patients. The traditional medicines are seen as more
compatible with the patients' think and beliefs regarding the nature.
The research question Why patient use traditional therapy in
Palestine?. What are the characteristics of traditional therapy for
burn use in this population? What are the sources of information
for traditional therapy for burn use? The main goal of the study To
investigate possible predictors of people yse traditional therapy in
burn.
2. Method
2.1 Study design
This study was based on quantitative method, and a cross-sectional
study containing burns south of Palestine was performed at major
government hospital from one year January 2020 to the year 31
December 2020.
2.2 study area
The study was conducted in south of west bank (Jericho, east
jureslum, Bethlehem, and hebron 2.3 Population Study.
Population All patient coming after use traditional medicine
and admission to burn units in hebron government hospital 270
patient from south of west bank (Jericho, east jureslum, Bethlehem,
and hebron).
2.4 Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: All patients allowed to burn from the south of
the west bank to join the hospital in Hebron in 2020, Requirement
to take part in the study.
Exclusion criteria: who patient burn and not use alternative
medicine, who not willingness to participate in the study.
2.5 Construction of data collection Instrument
After scanning related research and literature, the survey
questionnaire was created by the study investigator on why
alternative medicine and Ray are used (Ray, 1997). Questionnaire
the legitimacy of the content was guaranteed by a thorough
literature research and by conversation in this subject with a
number of professionals. The surveys were made in Arabic;
questions were structured in such a way that simple Arabic phrases
could be understood easily. When preparing the questionnaire,
difficult technical words were avoided. The questionnaire was
developed into two main sections covering; the demographic
information (gender, age, place of live, burn before, income, who
decided to go alternative medicine). Second section contain 13
items divided in three subsection, the first subsection 6 seven items
related to dissatisfaction with conventional medicine, second
subsection related 4 items values, customs, beliefs, third subsection
3 items related beliefs and think. The questionnaires items were
arranged into Yes and No.
2.6 Validity and Reliability of the tool
3.6.1 Validity
The tool utilized in this investigation was built by the researchers
and backed by prior studies (Ray, 1997). The validity of the
content relates to the relevance of the questions to the subject. The
validity of tools containing all essential ideas pertinent to the
research theme were censured in this study. The questions were
asked why alternative medicines were used.
3.6.2 Reliability
Questionnaire reliability guaranteed in pilot research and assessed
by means of the Coefficient alpha, normally between (0.00 and
1.00), where the highest value reflects a greater internal
consistency of the questionnaires. Theme of this questionnaire
(Polit & Beck, 2012). The reliability of Cronbach alpha achieved
was (0.829) for the total scale suggesting a strong consistency of
the tests.
2.7 Pilot Study
The purpose of the pilot research was to: estimate the time
necessary to collect the data, to establish the questionnaires, to
acquire clarity and adequacy, and to identify impediments to the
collection of the data.
On 15 patients from outside usage of traditional medicine, the
device was pilot tested. The results indicated that the alpha
coefficient for the reliability of the questionnaire was (0.82) and
the responses demonstrated consistency in comprehending issues
where no modifications or changes were required.
2.8 Data analysis
Using the Social Science Statistical Package software (SPSS V.23
Computer Software), for descriptive and inferential statistics, the
data compiled were then modified, inputted and analysed. The
distribution of the research variables was utilized with frequencies.
The statistical test of one-way ANOVA was also employed. The
researchers and statistics have used Alpha Cronbach in this study
to assess the reliability of the questionnaire and to test for the
dependability of the data collecting tool.
2.8 Ethical consideration and accessibility
Ethical approval was obtained from the Arab American University
before starting data collection. Ethics provide norms and
expectations of behavior on the best way to conduct all players.
The subject was told of the objective of the study via a permission
(attached to the questionnaire), secured private and sponsored
form. Moreover, they were told about their right, during the study
through informed agreement, to decline or withdraw from any
questionnaire at any moment.
2.9 Independent Variables
The independent variables considered possible predictors of
traditional medicine health care use. Since constructs like"

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 Dissatisfaction: Patients are dissatisfied with
conventional treatment because it has been ineffective
leave scar post burn, has traditional medicine because of
the good reputation, rapid healing than convetional
medicine, were better than medicine no clinics near the
home or too costly.
 The patients' values, custms: advice of the elderly,
customs and traditions in society. prevailing culture in
society, because of the experience of the therapist, where
the methods of treatment are inherited from the ancestors
 Beliefs regarding the nature and meaning of health and
illness. Freedom of action in my body, traditional
medicine Maintain privacy
 Demographic factors
2.10 Dependent Variable
Dependent variable, primary reliance on alternative medicine, a
dichotomous measure defined by those respondents who reported
using primarily alternative therapies to treat burn.
The study participants were; 53.0% males with more than 25.5%
child and more than 50%, and 46.1% from participant use
alternative medicine before, for living 46.1% living in Village, in
City 36.3%and Bedouins11.8%.
According to information to use 22% from participants,
know from friends, 53.3% know from internet, 16.8 form media as
radio and TV, 15% know from family, 7% from participants know
from health care worker as physician and nurses, the median of age
12 years.
Why use traditional therapy in burn Yes
Disatisfaction with conventional medicine
1 I went to the traditional medicine because of the good reputation 54.%(54)
2 I went to the traditional medicine because it did not leave scar post burn 70%(70)
3 I went to traditional medicine because of the lack of trust in doctors 51%(51)
67.%(67)
4 I went to traditional medicine because it's rapid healing
5 I went to traditional medicine because I thought they were better than medicine and doctors 57%(57)
6 I went to traditional medicine because of the high cost of doctors 54%(54)
7 I went to the traditional medicine because there are no clinics near the home 18%(18)
The patients' values, custms
8 I went to traditional medicine because of the advice of the elderly 45.%(45)
9 I went to traditional medicine because of customs and traditions 55.%(55)
10 I went to traditional medicine because of the prevailing culture in society 45.%(45)
11 I went to traditional medicine because of the experience of the therapist, where the methods of treatment are
inherited from the ancestors
45%(45)
Beliefs and think
12 I went to the traditional medicine Freedom of action in my body 54%(54)
13 I went to the traditional medicine Maintain privacy 36.%(36)
From table above see the main cause use traditional therapy
because I went to the traditional medicine because it did not leave
scar post burn with percent 70% said yes, another cause to use
traditional medicine because it's rapid healing with percent 70%,
the third main cause traditional medicine because I thought they
were better than medicine and doctors with percent 57%, the lower
causes use traditional medicine because there are no clinics near
the home with percent 18%. According to the patients' values,
custms use traditional medicine because of customs and traditions
in the society with percent 55%. According to Beliefs and think use
traditional medicine Freedom of action in my body 54%One way
ANOVA Test social statues and living and job with why use
traditional therapy.
ANOVA
Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig.
Social staies Between Groups 55.594 13 4.276 1.377 .187
Within Groups 270.188 87 3.106
Total 325.782 100
Living Between Groups 15.339 13 1.180 1.382 .185
Within Groups 74.304 87 .854
Total 89.644 100
Job Between Groups 22.797 13 1.754 1.147 .333
Within Groups 133.045 87 1.529
Total 155.842 100
According to table Since the total level of significance for the
social statues and living and job is bigger than 0.05, so we accept
the hypothesis and conclude that " There is no statistically
significant differences, in the significance level 0.05, of use of
traditional therapy according social statues and living and job ".
Correlation type: Pearson
Number of rows used: 100

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Correlations
Good Reputation Better Than Leave Scar Lack Trust Rapid Healing Cost
better than 0.072
leaves car -0.038 0.025
lack trust -0.120 0.030 0.526
rapid healing 0.777 0.130 0.083 -0.043
cost 0.841 0.077 0.025 -0.051 0.831
no clinics 0.101 0.092 0.293 0.357 0.151 0.190
advice elderly 0.495 -0.043 0.069 -0.055 0.518 0.591
customs 0.680 -0.015 -0.124 -0.094 0.640 0.668
customs 0.680 -0.015 -0.124 -0.094 0.640 0.668
experience 0.464 0.191 0.123 0.037 0.458 0.490
Freedom -0.176 0.010 0.171 0.050 -0.100 -0.173
privacy 0.713 0.143 0.032 -0.047 0.711 0.784
privacy 0.713 0.143 0.032 -0.047 0.711 0.784
We know that this study is the first population-based investigation
to assess why traditional burning treatments are used in Palestine.
A rise in the use of traditional and complementary medicine has
worldwide been acknowledged as a broad demographic
phenomena(Corner & Harewood, 2004). Burn is one of the most
prevalent issues of mankind in history, with consequences that can
influence the physical, psychological, social and professional life
of a person, therefore scientists and researchers have always noted
the treatment of burns and complications. Most burn patients under
18 years accept these with Iranian research (Krishnamoorthy,
Ramaiah, & Bhananker, 2012), and Turkey (Tekin et al., 2012),(M.
T. Qtait & Alekel, 2018).
According to information to use 22% from participants,
know from friends, 53.3% know from internet, 16.8 form media as
radio and TV, 15% know from family, 7% from participants know
from health care worker as physician and nurses. Friends/family
and the internet were the most common sources of information
traditional medicine. This suggests that the main sources of
information are informal and unscientific, which may have
consequences for the patients. It was interesting, however, to see
that 7% of the use traditional medicine information about
traditional medicine from health worker and physicians. This is the
highest number reported so far in the literature as study (Swisher et
al., 2002).
Why use traditional therapy
This study goal to know why people went to traditional therapy in
burn, the first cause the traditional medicine because not leave scar
post burn with percent 70%, the result accept with study (Maden,
Çalıkoğlu, & Bodamyalızade, 2018). The second causes go to
traditional therapy in burn as view of participants it's rapid healing
with percent 67%, this thought of people and most people think
traditional therapy its nutrient as honey make rapid healing for this
thought accept with study of (Dorai, 2012). The last cause it is not
go to traditional therapy because there are no clinics near the home
with percent 19% from our thought some Bedouins far from clinic
but in city and village the clinic it's near.
The researcher divided causes why go to traditional therapy
for three causes the first patient in burn not satisfaction with
conventional medicine with percent 53%, it’s high and not accept
with study (McFadden, Hernández, & Ito, 2010) dissatisfaction
from medicine showed a less clear relationship with traditional
therapy use. People dissatisfaction from conventional medicine
may be due to outcomes or medicine not successfully to treate burn
without scar. or due to belief that natural remedies are safer and
more effective than chemical drugs prescribed by doctor this accept
with study (Siahpush, 1999), (Siahpush, 1998), (Holden, 1978).
Second main cause the patients' values, customs,
percentage cultures Study of 43 percent Medical care attitudes and
their capacity to understand, manage and cope with the course of a
disease, the significance of the diagnosis, and the implications of
medical treatment are affected by cultural variations. Patients and
their families have cultural notions and values that are particular to
health and sickness conceptions, symptom reporting, health care
expectations, and drug- and treatment-related attitudes. Moreover,
particular cultural values impact the responsibilities and
expectations of patients, how much information is needed on
disease and therapy. (McLaughlin & Braun, 1998). The influence
of culture on health is vast, it affects perceptions of health and in
treatment of wound and burn in Palestine how illness and pain are
experienced and expressed, where patients seek help, and the types
of treatment patients prefer.
Third main cause Beliefs and think with percent 45.5%,
The study found personal health beliefs have effect on the use of
traditional therapy in burn from view of researcher the people
believe with traditional specially if build in Practical experiments
between society, and that accept with study (Gyasi et al., 2016).
Conclusion
A thorough examination of why patients utilize trade treatment in
burn in South West Bank was conducted in this study. 290 patients
in 2020 with 29% of admissible treatment are admitted to burn
unity in a Hebron Government Hospital. According to
questionnaire used that divided to three section to know why use
traditional therapy first dissatisfaction with conventional medicine
with high percent 54%, the second section The patients' values,
customs with percent 46%, and third section Beliefs and think
45%.
For use can summary first for burn is convinced that
traditional therapy is best than convention medicine, due not leave
scarred and rapid healing based on experiment in. society and
elderly.
Another explanations for using traditional medicine in burn
think as philosophy no side effect for medication the mixture that
uses from nature not contain chemical material, and thought the
body its myself can use anything to treatment the body.
Recommendations

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1. Information from studies can be used as a valuable
complement to data from controlled clinical effectiveness
research on traditional treatments.
2. The joint research efforts have the potential not just to
modify certain forms of traditional biomedicine, but also
to encourage greater conversation with the firm.
3. It is vital to understand why a large proportion of the
population does not use mainstream biomedicine to treat
a range of diseases and to maintain their overall health
and wellness. Political leaders and health care experts
still discuss improvements in the current system.
Limitation of study
The intersectional nature of the study prohibits us from reaching
any judgment on the links between cause and effect.
Limitation for patient burn only not another patient use traditional
therapy.
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