Maternal perceptions and practices regarding traditional milk tooth extraction among children under five years in Khartoum State, Sudan: a multicenter cross-sectional study

Traditional healing practices are common in Sudan and Sub-Saharan Africa. Milk tooth extraction (MTE) refers to the manual removal of primary tooth buds, typically performed on children under five years of age. This practice is believed to have a therapeutic effect for symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and cough. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MTE and to describe mothers’ perceptions of this practice. This cross-sectional study was conducted in seven teaching hospitals across Khartoum State. Mothers of children presenting to pediatric units were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The variables assessed included mothers’ perceptions of MTE, whether their child had undergone MTE, and a description of the procedure. A total of 385 mothers of children under five years participated in the study. The mean age of the participants was 34.96 years (SD ± 7.504), and the mean age of the children was 2.14 years (SD ± 1.350). Among the children, 174 (45.2%) were females and 211 (54.8%) were males. Approximately 154 mothers (40%) endorsed the practice of MTE. Reported reasons for performing MTE included family tradition (69.4%), diarrhea (56.1%), vomiting (46.5%), and fever (37.7%). The prevalence of MTE was 18.4% (70 out of 385 children). Factors significantly associated with this practice included maternal age, maternal education level, and rural origin. No major complications related to MTE were reported Most mothers did not report complications following MTE; however, fever, bleeding and other adverse events were reported. Milk tooth extraction (MTE) remains a common traditional practice acknowledged by Sudanese mothers. Awareness-raising initiatives regarding the risks of MTE should be implemented through health education campaigns in primary healthcare centers and hospitals, particularly targeting women of childbearing age and healthcare practitioners.