Medicine, Health & Food

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Incorporation of Herbal Medicine in Nigeria?s Healthcare: Online Survey

Volume: 6  ,  Issue: 1 , June    Published Date: 23 June 2018
Publisher Name: IJRP
Views: 788  ,  Download: 656

Authors

# Author Name
1 1Yemi-Peters, Victoria I., 2Okon, Emmanuel O., 3Joshua B. Agbogun

Abstract

An effective health system guarantees access to health as fundamental to improved health, and decreased morbidity and mortality. Health care deliveries in many African countries have been poor due to the failure of governments and their agencies to address the underlying challenges with strategic plans. The WHO now recognized Herbal Medicine as an essential component of primary healthcare. The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the acceptability and use of ten common medicinal plants in Nigeria. An online survey was conducted using the Google survey form randomly sent into hundred and twenty (120) respondents’ email address and one hundred respondents responded to the message by filling the survey form. Tables, graphs, percentage and other simple statistical tools were used in the analysis of the data collated using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Chi-square statistical tool and One-Way Analysis of Variance were used to test the formulated hypotheses. The Chi-Square test shows that the encouragement of the use of herbal medicinal plants for curative and preventive purpose over orthodox medicine is dependent on tribes. The result also shows that the side effect of using herbal medicinal plants is dependent on the age range. Furthermore, the result of the One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test indicates the differences in the effectiveness of the ten selected common herbal medicinal plants.  From the responses, it was observed that people are aware and have experience of using herbal medicinal plants for curative and preventive purposes. It is suggested that an enduring and sustainable conservation efforts be put in place by Nigerian communities and government to safeguard important medicinal plants. At the same time, massively sensitization of the people on the dangers of the indiscriminate use of medicinal plant most be carried out.

Keywords

  • Nigeria