Article Text
Abstract
Objectives To examine the prevalence, determinants, safety perceptions, effectiveness and knowledge of herbal medicines (HMs) and reasons for non-hospital utilisation.
Design Cross-sectional study.
Setting Ekiti state, southwest Nigeria.
Participants A representative sample (n=1600) of adults (18 years or above) currently living in Ekiti state, southwest Nigeria for at least 2 years, at the time of study.
Results The majority of the respondents (85% n=1265) have used HMs in the last 2 years. Across economic classes use, middle income (88.3%) was the highest (p<0.001), suggesting poverty is not a major factor, even with income inequality. Their use was the most common among respondents with a primary level of education (91.4%, p=0.001); and 100% use (p=0.009) of respondents practising African traditional religion; farmers and those 70 years or above. Our study also reveals more men (p<0.001) used HMs (89.9%) than women (78.6%) and effectiveness was a major reason for use (39.6%) followed by affordability (31.9%). Although the majority of the respondents (90%) knew the difference between certified and uncertified HMs, uncertified ones were the most commonly used (37.3%) in the population.
Conclusion Although there is a cultural history of HM use within the study population, the choice of use was based on their effectiveness. Therefore, a scientifically valid analysis of this claim within the study population may help achieve a cheaper and affordable healthcare alternative which will be safe. This is important, considering that uncertified HMs were chosen over certified ones, even though a large majority of respondents were aware of differences and likely consequences. This study highlights the need for further investment by the government, individuals and corporate stakeholders in HM research and improvement of conventional healthcare system. This is in addition to public health awareness on the danger of use of uncertified herbal products.
- toxicity
- herbal medicine
- quality in health care
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Footnotes
Twitter @LataGautam10, @SarahHa81702781
Contributors OA designed and implemented the work; carried out data analysis and interpretation; drafted the manuscript; and is accountable for the accuracy and integrity of the work. LG designed and supervised the work; carried out interpretation; drafted and revised the manuscript for final approval; and is accountable for the accuracy and integrity of the work. PS advised on public health aspect of the research and carried out interpretation and revision of the manuscript. SH supervised the work; carried out interpretation; drafted and revised the manuscript for final approval; and is accountable for the accuracy and integrity of the work.
Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent for publication Not required.
Ethics approval Ethics approval was obtained from the Faculty of Science and Technology, Anglia Ruskin University and Ekiti State Ministry of Health in Ekiti state. Participants were provided with the participant information sheet and the content explained in English or local dialect. Informed consent was obtained from the participants who volunteered to be part of the study.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
Data availability statement No data are available. All data relevant to the study are included in the article.