ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to define known Traditional Medicine (TM) practices in the city center of Canakkale.

This descriptive research was conducted with patients aged 18 and above. The sample calculation formula for a known population was used. There were 553 individuals included in this study. Permissions were obtained from the relevant institutions. The data obtained by the researchers was generated using a face-to-face interview method, which was collected using a questionnaire over five months. The data was evaluated with SPSS 13.

In the study, 3.1% (n=17) of participants suffered from epilepsy either themselves or had at least one family member (mother, father, or siblings) with epilepsy; 8.3% (n=46) of the participants’ second degree relatives suffered with epilepsy; 6% (n=33) had friends or neighbors that had been diagnosed with epilepsy; and 26.4% (n=146) of the participants knew of at least one TM method of how to cope with epilepsy.

Health care professionals need to know the cultural characteristics of the society they are working in and be aware of TM methods used in order to increase the chances of success in treating patients with epilepsy.

Keywords: Epilepsy, traditional medicine, Canakkale