Community Conception and Treatment of Jaundice (Wofie/Ye’wof Beshyita) in Gondar City, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the traditional medical treatment of jaundice, locally known as wofie/ ye’wof beshyita (lit. bird illness), in Gondar City, Amhara Region of Ethiopia. Jaundice, a condition characterized by yellowness of skin and eyes due to elevated bilirubin levels, is among the major public health concerns in Ethiopia including Amhara Region. Examining how the illness is conceptualized and treated by local communities will help to design effective and culturally contextualized strategies to address the problem. The study employed a qualitative research approach and an ethnographic research design, using purposive sampling. Data collection methods included in-depth interview, focus group discussion (FGD), document analysis, and non-participant observation, with thematic analysis for data interpretation. The finding shows that the symptomatological concept of jaundice coincides with biomedicine, but the local etiological model postulates causational factor different from viral and other biomedically known factors. Perceived causes include eating sweet foods, consuming cold stew, and hunger, but the illness is attributed mainly to exposure to the urine of bat (ye’lelit wof). Local understanding of these causes is deeply rooted in cultural beliefs and experiences, influencing health-seeking behaviors. In general, there is less trust in biomedical treatment for the illness, leading to a strong preference for traditional medical practices. Patients visit traditional healers as a desperate action for failure to get cured in private and government health facilities. Besides, cost of treatment and testimony of success also make them prefer traditional healers over biomedicine. Such decisions may have major public health consequences, including delays in seeking proper healthcare support, exacerbating the severity of the illness. This study underscores the need for integrating traditional and biomedical healthcare systems to improve treatment outcomes and community trust.