Abstract:
Introduction: This study seeks to study the prevalence and factors associated
with herbal medicine use in Aba town and Umuye village in Abia State,
Nigeria. The general objective of the study is to study the prevalence and
factors associated with the use of herbal medicine in Abia State, Nigeria. The
specific objectives are to study the prevalence of use of herbal medicine, to
identify the commonly used herbs and the factors associated with the use of
herbal medicines between the rural and urban population in Abia State. The
study will also seek to identify barriers to the use of herbal medicines among
the respondents in Abia State.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design was used in this
study. The study involved 400 participants recruited by convenience sampling
technique. This community-based study was carried out in two residential areas
which were selected by convenience and data was collected by face to face
interview with the participants using a survey form.
Results: Out of the 400 respondents, 70.5% of them have used herbal
medicine; majority of the users (83.8%) were from the rural area as compared
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to the users (67.4%) in the urban area. Aloe vera gel (35.5%), pure honey
(32.3%), cassava stem (18.0%), scent leaf (20.0%) and garden egg (16.0%)
were the most commonly used herbal medicines in Abia State. The most
commonly used herbal medicine was aloe vera gel (41.5%) in the rural area as
compared to the urban area, where the respondents used more of scent leaf
(31.0%).
Majority (85.9%) of the respondents had used herbal medicine for their general
wellbeing. Most of the respondents got their information of herbal medicine
through advertisement in media (96.2%), friends (55.1%) and family (50.6%).
The main reason for non-disclosure to the medical practitioner was that it was
not important for the doctor to know. 80.0% of the respondents believed that
herbal medicine use has improved their health. 46.25% of the respondents got
their supplies of herbal medicine from the market. 19.3% of the respondents
who did not use herbal medicine were afraid of the side effects herbal medicine
could cause them.
Conclusion: In the study area, the prevalence of use of herbal medicine was
(70.5%). Because of the wide use of herbal medicine in the study area, there is a
need for the government to establish a regulatory body that will make sure the
herbal medicine products consumed by these people are safe.
