Mesele MengsteabSamuel Tassew2026-07-152026-07-152025-11-01https://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/8655Among inhabitants of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, this study examines indigenous medical practices' use and perceptions.Many peoplestillturn to traditional medicine for physical, emotional, and spiritual needs even as urbanization and better access to contemporary healthcare expand.The studyhopes to ascertain the degree of this dependency,pinpoint the demographic, cultural, and financialdrivers of use, and assess the consequences for public health policy. Using a mixed-methods approach, 331 structured questionnaires' quantitative statistics were used for the people who utilized traditional medicine, combined with qualitative observations from interviews and focus group discussions with traditional healers and local residents. Results show that 70.4% of participants have used indigenous medicine for ailments ranging from chronic diseases to mental health problems to spiritual misfortunes. Cultural acceptability, affordability, practitioner trust, and past favorable experiences are among the main forces influencing usage. Many participants viewed conventional medicine as just as effective, or more effective, than biomedical treatments for certain conditions, yet questions about safety, the absence of regulation, and the lack of standardization remain. Among the other obstacles discovered were inadequate integration with the formal health system and limited governmental oversight. The resultsshow that indigenous medicine stillserves as a major healthcare tool in Addis Ababa, especially among underprivilegedcommunities and those with strong cultural links.The researchfinds that it is essential to formallyacknowledge,control, and integrate these behaviors into the national medical system. Policy suggestions include professional education.For healers, quality control of medicinal remedies, and promotion of cooperation between conventional and contemporarymedicalpractitioners to guarantee safety, enhance accessibility, and maintain culturally inclusive care.en-USIndigenous medicinetraditional healersAddis Ababahealthcare utilizationcultural beliefshealth policy.Thesis