Prevalence of traditional uvulectomy and its associated factors among parents who had less than 6 months of infants in Gondar City, north-west Ethiopia: Mixed study design

Background Traditional uvulectomy is widely practiced in Africa especially in sub-Saharan countries including Ethiopia. Limited Studies conducted in different times and areas of the world have shown that the prevalence of uvulectomy and its associated factors are varied from country to country. There is limited evidence to determine the prevalence and reasons of malpractice in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of traditional uvulectomy, and its associated factors among parents who had children aged less than 6 months.Methods A community-based cross-sectional mixed study design was conducted among 630 participants selected by a systematic sampling technique. Data were collected using a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire. The collected data were entered into Epi-data, and analyzed by using STATA version 14software. Descriptive statistics were computed and presented using tables, figures and texts. Factors associated with the prevalence of uvulectomy were selected for multiple logistic regressions at the probability value (p-value) of less than 0.2 in the X2- analysis. Statistically significant associated factors were identified at the probability value (p-value) less than 0.05 and adjusted OR (AOR) with a 95% CI. A total of 10 individual depth interviewees and 5 key informants were included using purposive sampling techniques. For the qualitative study, and thematic content analysis was employed to analyze the data, which were transcribed, translated, coded, screened, thematized, analyzed, synthesized, and finally supplemented the quantitative finding.Results The prevalence of traditional uvulectomy was 84.60% (CI: 81.77%n-87.42%). Being rural residence (adjusted OR = 2.08, CI = 1.06-4.12), mothers aged 30 to 34 years (adjusted OR = 2.9, CI = 1.28-6.60), having no antenatal care visit (adjusted OR = 3.91, CI = 1.33-11.47), having no bad obstetric history (adjusted OR = 2.11, CI = 1.12-3.98), having no postnatal care visit (adjusted OR = 3.88, CI = 1.36-11.12) and mothers' poor attitude (adjusted OR = 3.32, CI = 2.01-5.47) were statistically significant associated factors of traditional uvulectomy. Seeking traditional uvulectomy, lack of information and third-party pressure were the main themes of the qualitative study that support the findings of the quantitative study.Conclusion The prevalence of traditional uvulectomy was high. Being rural residents, mothers aged 30 to 34 years, having no antenatal care visit, having no complications of obstetric history, having no postnatal care visit and mothers with poor attitude were statistically significant associated factors of traditional uvulectomy. Lack of information about uvulectomy and third-party pressure was the reason for seeking traditional uvulectomy.