KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES REGARDING HERBAL REMEDIES FOR MALARIA IN RURAL COMMUNITIES IN AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE.
Main Article Content
Abstract
Use of herbal malaria remedies has increased globally. Knowledge of malaria and available treatment options at community level is paramount for successful sustainable malaria interventions but this has,most times, been overlooked. Across-sectional study on knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding herbal remedies for malaria was done in six rural communities at Awka, Nigeria between October and December 2022. Structured open-ended questionnaires elicited information on demographics and KAP of 200 respondents regardingherbal malaria remedies. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics while Friedman test ranked variables at P<0.05 confidence interval. About 99% of respondents were aware of malaria andsuffered it; 60% experienced headache, fever (40%), cold (38%), body pain (28%), vomiting (23%), and nausea (18%). About 32% had two episodesin a year.Almost 91% preferred orthodox drugs while 18% went forherbal remedies prepared mostly with leaves of Azadirachta indica, Cymbopogon citratus, and Carica papayaplants. Gender, age, and educational level of respondents did not significantly (P>0.05) influence KAP regarding malaria and its herbal remedies. Public enlightenment on safe preparation, handling, storage, intake and regulation of herbal malaria drugs willenhance their efficacy and reduce associated potential risks.
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Nwankwo, E. N., Egbuche, C. M., Chude, C. F., & Asogwa, K. K. (2023). KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES REGARDING HERBAL REMEDIES FOR MALARIA IN RURAL COMMUNITIES IN AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE. The Bioscientist Journal, 11(2), 114-127. Retrieved from https://bioscientistjournal.com/index.php/The_Bioscientist/article/view/146
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References
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Uzochukwu, B.S, Ossai, E.N, Okeke, C.C., Ndu, A.C., Onwujekwe, O.E. (2018). Malaria knowledge and treatment practices in Enugu state, Nigeria: A qualitative study. International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 7(9):859-866
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WHO (2015). Treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria. Guideline for malaria treatment, 4: 31 – 46.
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WHO (2022). World Malaria Report 2022. Geneva: World Health Organization 2022. License: CCBY-NC-SA 3,0IGO
Adebayo and Krettli (2011). Potential Antimalarials from Nigerian Plants. A review. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 133(2):289-302.
Adongo, P.B., Kirkwood, B., Kendall, C. (2005). How local community knowledge about malaria affects insecticide treated net use in northern Ghana. Tropical Medicine and International Health,10:366–378.
Agyepong, I.A. (1992). Malaria ethnomedical perceptions and practice in an adangbe farming community and implications for control. Social Science and Medicine, 35: 131-137.
Akande-Sholabi,W., Iluyomade, A., Ilesanmi, O.S. and Adisa, R. (2020). Perception and Use of Herbal Medicines Among Clients Visiting Selected Community Pharmacies in Ibadan, Nigeria. African Journal of Biomedical Research, 23: 147- 153
Amy McKenna (2021). Awka, Nigeria. History and facts. EncyclopaediaBritannica. Retrieved 2023-01-20
Asase, A., Oppong-Mensah, G. (2009). Traditional antimalarial phytotherapy remedies in herbal markets in southern Ghana. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 126(3):492–499
Bittaye, S.O., Jagne, A., Jaiteh, L.E. et al. (2022). Clinical Manifestations and outcomes of severe malaria in adult patients admitted to a tertiary hospital in the Gambia. Malaria Journal, 21: 270.
Che, C., Wang, Z. J., Sumchow, M. S. and Kei Lam, C. W. (2013). Herb-herb combination for therapeutic enhancement and advancement: Theory, practice and future perspectives. Molecules, 18 (5): 5125-5141.
Chude, C.F., Nwankwo, E.N., and Ezekwesili-Ofili, O.J. (2022). In vitro antiplasmodial and in vivo toxicity potential ofMenthapiperita and Ocimumgratissimumessential oils and their synergistic effect with conventional antimalarial drugs against Plasmodium falciparium.International Journal of Mosquito Research, 2(1): 114-122.
Egbuche, C.M., Onyido, A.E., Akunna, F.G., Ogbonna, C.U., Ukonze, C.B. and Ezihe, C.K. (2019). Breeding habitats of Anopheles mosquitoes in a riverine locality of Anambra State: Types, Preferences, Availability and Productivity. The Bioscientist,9(2): 44 – 61.
Egbuche, C.M. (2021). Prompt and accurate diagnosis, a veritable tool in malaria diagnosis. In: Current topics and emerging issues in malaria elimination. A.J. Rodriguez-Morales (ed.). Published by IntechOpen. ISBN: 978-1-83968-484-5, Chapter. 3: 36 – 52.
Ekor, M. (2013). The growing use of herbal medicines: issues relating to adverse reactions and challenges in monitoring safety. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 4: 177.
Ekwunife, C.A., Ogolo, B and Ozumba, N.A. (2012). Perception and Management Practices of Malaria in South East Nigeria. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 16 (1): E156.
Ezeabasili, A. C. C, Iloghalu, I. E., Okoro, B. U and Manafa, I. F. (2015). Sustainable urban forestry in Nigerian built environment. Journal of Scientific Research and Reports, 5 (7): 524-531.
Ezihe, E.K., Egbuche, C.M., Nwankwo, E.N., Ukonze, C., Anumba, J.U., Umenzekwe, C.C. and Ogudu O.E.(2019). Malaria Vector abundance and incidence of malaria parasite among students living in NnamdiAzikiwe University Hostels. International Journal of Tropical Disease and Health, 37 (4): 1-10
Iwueze, M.O., Ezugbo-Nwobi, I.K., Umeanaeto, P.U., Egbuche, C.M. and Anaso, C.I. (2013). Knowledge, Attitude and Management Practices on Malaria: A Case Study of Amansea, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. The Bioscientist; 1(1): 32- 38.
Konlan, K.D., Amu, H., Konlan, K.D, Japiong, M. (2019). Awareness and malaria prevention practices in a rural community in the Ho Municipality, Ghana. Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases. Article ID 9365823, 8 pages.
Kyawtt-Swe, K. and Pearson, A. (2004). Knowledge attitudes and practices with regard to malaria control in an endemic rural area of Myanmar. South East Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 35: 35-62.
Lu, I.W. and Lu, D.P. (2014). Impact of Chinese Herbal Medicine on American Society and Health Care System: Perspective and Concern. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Pp6.
Muanya, M. (2019). Herbal cures for mult-drug resistant typhoid fever. TheGuardian Newspaper. Conscience Nurtured by Truth. 08 August. https://guardian.ng/features/health/herbal-cures-for-multi-drug-resistant-typhoid-fever/. (Retrieved 7th November, 2022).
Natama, H.M., Rovira-Vallbona, E., Krit, M. et al. (2021). Genetic variation in the immune system and malaria susceptibility in infants: a nested case–control study in Nanoro, Burkina Faso. Malaria Journal, 20: 94.
NPC (2020). National Population Commission. Annex I. Population Projection by State.
Obiukwu, M.O., Egbuche, C.M., Okonkwo, N.J., Chukwuma, I.F., Ezugbo-Nwobi, I.K., and Umeanaeto, P.U. (2011). Malaria: Home Management Practices of Caregivers in Onitsha North LGA, Anambra State of Nigeria. Natural and Applied Science Journal; 12(2): 190-192
Singh, R., Jamila, Musa, J., Singh, S. and Ukatu, V.E.E (2014). Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on Malaria among the Rural Communities in Aliero, Northern Nigeria.Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 3(1): 39–44.
Tyagi, P., Roy, A. and Malhotta M.S. (2005). Knowledge awareness and practices towards malaria in communities of rural semi-rural and bordering areas of East Delhi India. Journal of Vector Borne Diseases, 42: 30-35.
Uzochukwu, B.S, Ossai, E.N, Okeke, C.C., Ndu, A.C., Onwujekwe, O.E. (2018). Malaria knowledge and treatment practices in Enugu state, Nigeria: A qualitative study. International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 7(9):859-866
WHO and UNICEF (2003). The burden of malaria in Africa. The African Malaria Report 2003; 1: 17 – 23.
https://www.againstmalaria.com/downloads/RBMBurdenMalariaAfrica.pdf (accessed December, 2022).
WHO (2004). WHO guidelines in safety monitoring of herbal medicine in pharmacovigilance system. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.
WHO (2008). Traditional Medicine Fact Sheet, No 134 2008. https//www.who.int/mediacenter/factsheets/fs/134/en/1. (Accessed December, 2022)
WHO (2015). Treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria. Guideline for malaria treatment, 4: 31 – 46.
WHO (2018). Global Malaria programme. Artemisinine resistance and artemisinine-based combination therapy efficacy. WHO/CDS/GMP/2018.26 @ World Health Organization 2018. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
WHO (2019). World Malaria Situation in 2019, part I. Weekly Epidemiological Record, 71: 17–22.
WHO (2022). World Malaria Report 2022. Geneva: World Health Organization 2022. License: CCBY-NC-SA 3,0IGO