Practice And Perceived Effectiveness of Ruta Chalpensisas for Infantile Colic by Parents or Caregivers of Infants in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2025-11-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Infantile Colic, Also Known as Excessive Crying Is a Common Condition Affecting Infants During the First Months of Life and Also Have a Significant Impact on Parents or Caregivers, Leading to Increased Stress, Parental Distress, And Disrupted Family Dynamics. Though There Is Anecdotal Evidence and Traditional Knowledge Regarding the Use of R. Chalpensis for Infantile Colic There Is No Any Scientific Evidence. Therefore, This Study Aims to Investigate the Practice and Perceived Effectiveness of R. Chalpensis for Infantile Colic by Parents or Care Givers.
Method: Facility Based Cross-Sectional Study Was Conducted on Randomly Selected 422 Parents or Caregivers of Infants Aged Between 1 And 6 Months Who Came for Immunization to Selected Health Centers in Addis Ababa City, Ethiopia, From February1 to February 30, 2024. The Data Were Collected Using Pre-Tested Semi-Structured Questionnaire by Trained Data Collectors Using ODK Collect V 2023.2.4. The Collected Data Were Exported to Statistical Package for Social Science Version 26 For Analysis. Descriptive Statistics Was Used to Calculate Prevalence of Practice of R. Chalpensis. Graphs, Charts, Statistical Tables and Texts Were Used to Present the Data.
Result: Overall, 133(34.9%) Of the Study Participants Reported That Their Infants Had Infantile Colic. From Them 116(87%) Of the Participants Reported That They Administered Rc as a Therapeutic Intervention for Treating Colic Symptoms of Their Infants. Notably, 76(65%) Perceived the Remedy to Be Effective in Relieving Their Infants’ Colic Symptoms.
Conclusion: While R.Chalpensis Is Perceived as Effective and Safe by Many Users, The Lack of Scientific Validation Highlights a Need for Caution. Further Scientific Research, Including Clinical Trials, Is Recommended to Validate the Safety and Efficacy.
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Keywords
Infantile colic, R. chalpensis, herbal medicine, complementary and alternative medicine