Use of Traditional Eye Medications in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria

Community Ophthalmology

Abstract

Introduction: Traditional medicine comprises unscientific knowledge developed over generations within various societies before the  era of modern medicine.1 It may include formalized aspects of folk medicine, for example, long standing remedies passed on and  practiced by lay people1 Traditional healers tend to use substances that cause irritation and pain. Such substances may be acidic,  alkaline resulting in ocular burns. No particular attention is paid to mode of action, concentration or sterility as most of these concoctions are made without regard for hygiene using contaminated water, local gin, saliva or even urine2,3 The Nigerian  National blindness and Visual impairment survey 2005-2007 found that the use of traditional eye medication for measles/Vitamin  A deficiency accounted for a percentage of those   that had corneal scarring.4 

Methods: The study was a population based  descriptive cross-sectional study, which was carried out in Kosofe Local Government Area  of Lagos State from July to September 2012. The target population were adults who were 18 years old and above and had been  resident in the community for at least 6 months. Using multi-stage sampling technique, participants were selected from urban and  rural wards of the local government area. Information was collected with the use of questionnaires.