Traditional Hemorrhoid Treatment Complications and Community Perspectives: Evidence from Southern Ethiopia.

Background: Hemorrhoids are among the most common anorectal disorders, yet traditional treatment practices remain widespread in Ethiopia. These remedies often involve corrosive chemicals, herbal preparations, or invasive procedures, and are associated with severe complications. Despite their prevalence, systematic evidence on outcomes and community perceptions is limited. Methods: A hospital?based cross?sectional study was conducted from December 30, 2024 to December 29, 2025 in Sidama, Ethiopia. A total of 450 patients diagnosed with hemorrhoids and managed across five government hospitals were enrolled. Structured questionnaires and medical record review were used to collect socio?demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, hospital management, traditional treatment practices, complications, and community perceptions. Descriptive statistics and independent sample t?tests were applied. Results: The mean age of participants was 35.2 years, with a predominance of males (63.1%) and urban residents (72%). Perianal pain (84%) and rectal bleeding (50%) were the most frequent symptoms. Independent samples t?test analysis demonstrated that patients who visited traditional healers were significantly older than those who did not (mean age 48.2 vs. 34.4 years; mean difference = 13.8 years, 95% CI: 8.8-18.8; p < 0.001). Hospital management, primarily hemorrhoidectomy (31.8%), achieved favorable outcomes, with 97.3% of patients improving. Twenty-eight patients (6.2%) reported using traditional healers, most commonly involving topical chemical applications (71.4%). Complications were frequent among traditional users, with 85.7% experiencing adverse outcomes such as persistent pain, anal stenosis, and perianal discharge. Despite these complications, community perceptions remained largely positive or neutral, influenced by family and peers. Conclusion: Traditional hemorrhoid treatment in Southern Ethiopia is associated with high complication rates, yet community perceptions remain favorable due to sociocultural influences. Hospital management demonstrates superior outcomes. Bridging the gap between biomedical care and community beliefs is essential to reduce morbidity and promote safe treatment .