Prevalence, Types and Determinants of Traditional Eye Medication(TEM) Usage Among Nursing Mothers in Northeast Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Traditional eye medication (TEM) use is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Nigeria, where it remains a major public health concern. This practice remains prevalent among nursing mothers who may use TEM to manage eye conditions either for their infants or themselves. This study assessed the prevalence, types as well as the determinants influencing TEM usage among nursing mothers in Northeast Nigeria.

Methodology: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Bauchi and Taraba states in Northeast Nigeria between November and February 2025. A multistage sampling technique was used for sampling respondents. Four hundred and twenty-two (422) nursing mothers were interviewed using a questionnaire. The
quantitative variables were summarised using mean/median and standard deviation appropriately. Associations between the socio-demographic characteristics and the outcome variables were done using chi-square, and a p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The study found that 68.5% of nursing mothers reported using Traditional Eye Medications (TEM), with 40.5% administering TEM to their children. The most used TEM was breast milk (55.7%), while the commonest indication for TEM use was red eye (161, 55.7%). Factors such as urban residence, occupation (particularly traders
and civil servants), and household income below 150,000 Naira were associated with TEM use.

Conclusion: TEM use remains prevalent among nursing mothers in Northeast Nigeria, with breast milk being the most frequently used form. Public health interventions targeting awareness and eye health education are crucial to addressing this issue and protecting maternal and child eye health.