Popularity and Customer Preferences for Herbal Medicines in Nigeria: A Questionnaire Based Survey

Judith, Okoh E.; Ijeoma, Okafor; Ekere, Kokonne E.; Isaac, Ajeh Johnson; Isimi, Christianah; Olubunmi, Olayemi; Emeje, Martins

doi:10.18488/journal.73/2016.4.3/73.3.69.76

Cited by 8 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…This above finding agrees with other works in Cameroon [ 15 ] and Nigeria [ 27 ], where most people perceive traditional medicines as efficacious, cost-effective and a viable alternative to orthodox medicine. This observation agrees with the general belief among most people that herbal medicines are effective, affordable, and safe [ 41 ]. Herbal drugs are less costly probably because of the less cost involved in their production.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

A cross-sectional survey on the use of herbal tea among Cameroonian adults (18–65 years)

Suh Nchang,

Njong,

Noukimi

et al. 2023

BMC Complement Med Ther

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Background In respect of the WHO’s commendation to incorporate traditional medicine (TM) in health care, the Cameroon government wants to promote the use of the traditional medicine and is resolute on encouraging the treatment of patients with alternative medicine from traditional sources. This study explores the use of herbal tea by Cameroonian adults to prevent or treat diseases and the socio-demographic determinants of tea use among participants. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 307 Cameroonian adults (18–65 years) randomly selected within 4 hospitals and 4 communities in the Centre and Southwest regions of Cameroon between 04/01–20/04/2022, using interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaires. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the association between variables. Results Over four-fifth (89.3%) of participants had taken herbal teas at least once within the last 2 years prior to the survey, and most participants used the teas for the prevention and treatment of Covid-19 (67.9%), malaria (59.7%) and typhoid fever (35%). Most respondents took the teas warm (75%), and the treatment dosage used by most respondents (51%) was “one glass in the morning and evening for one to two weeks”. The teas taken by 70% of users had bad or bitter taste and 52.2% of them were uncomfortable with the bad taste. However, the majority of users completed their treatment dosage (72%), 90.5% of them were willing to use teas for treatment if prescribed in health facilities in future, and 90.1% were in support that herbal teas should be prescribed in hospitals. There was no significant association (p ≥ 0.05) between sociodemographic characteristics of participants and herbal tea use. However, the major motivating factor for acceptability of herbal tea use was treatment effectiveness (52.7%). Conclusion There is high prevalence of herbal tea use among adults Cameroonians in the studied settings in the Centre and Southwest regions of Cameroon, with a positive opinion and willingness to use teas if prescribed in health facilities. Authorities must ensure the effectiveness and safety of traditional medicine served in health facilities, to enhance compliance and adequate use.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

A cross-sectional survey on the use of herbal tea among Cameroonian adults (18–65 years)

Suh Nchang,

Njong,

Noukimi

et al. 2023

BMC Complement Med Ther

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“…In most countries, herbal medicines are commonly used among all healthcare systems [4]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in developing countries approximately 80% of the population have been found to be using this form of medicine for primary care such as those in Africa and Asia [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Herbal medicine from the perspective of type II diabetic patients and physicians: what is the relationship?

Alqathama

Alluhiabi

Baghdadi

et al. 2020

BMC Complement Med Ther

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Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major public health problem and one of the most challenging diseases worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has the second highest rate of diabetes in the Middle East and seventh highest globally. Some diabetic patients may prefer to use alternative approaches such as herbal remedies to control their blood glucose level and this study aims to assess the prevalence of herbal usage and to evaluate users' and doctors' knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about herbal medicine as well as the patient/doctor relationship in this regard. Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in several hospitals and medical centres in Makkah, KSA, between January and March 2019. Around 289 type II diabetic patients and 105 doctors were interviewed. Results: We found that 68% of the participants were frequent consumers of herbal remedies, especially cinnamon, ginger and fenugreek. Patients' knowledge of herbal usage was mainly gleaned from family and friends as well as social media, and we found that many (71.4%) did not bother to consult or inform their doctors about their choice to self-medicate with herbs. Patients had no concerns regarding the efficacy and safety of herbal usage use in diabetes, as around half of the participants believe that herbal medicine is effective (54%) and safe (46%) for treating symptoms of diabetes. Two-thirds of the doctors (66%) routinely ask patients whether they use herbs for their condition. Although 25% of the doctors took a positive view of herbal medicine in relation to diabetes, others expressed concerns with the rise in herb use and want to see more attention paid to safety aspects. Conclusion: The study concludes that herbal remedies are commonly used by diabetic patients and that a gap exists in the relationship between patients and doctors concerning the disclosure of herbal remedy use and views on its safety.

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“…This section was developed by the researcher based on the literature [ 1 , 10 , 11 , 14 , 16 , 20 , 49 , 50 ]. This section consists of a total of 14 questions about doctors and nurses, including age, sex, education level, marital status, occupation, total years of professional experience, clinic where they work, total years of experience in the department where they work, status of training in nutrients and food supplements, status of questioning patients about the use of nutrients and dietary supplements, status of postponement of surgery due to the use of nutrients and dietary supplements, and number of patients for whom surgery was postponed.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The promotion of these products in mass media [ 12 – 15 ] and recommendations from friends and family [ 1 , 12 , 14 – 17 ], combined with their availability without prescription and affordability [ 16 , 18 , 19 ], contribute to their increased use [ 14 , 16 , 20 ]. Nutrients and food supplements are often preferred for improving health and well-being, alleviating symptoms associated with chronic diseases [ 10 ], cancer treatment [ 10 , 21 ], pregnancy [ 22 ], and the surgical period [ 23 – 25 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge levels of doctors and nurses working in surgical clinics about nutrients and food supplements, a multicentre descriptive study

Büyükkasap,

Yazıcı

2024

BMC Nurs

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Purpose The use of nutrients and food supplements is increasing worldwide. Nutrients and food supplements frequently used in the surgical period may cause complications and side effects. This study was conducted to determine the level of knowledge about sixty-one nutrients and food supplements among doctors and nurses working in surgical clinics. Design A multicentre descriptive, quantitative, cross-sectional study. Methods The study was conducted between 15 February and 31 May 2022 with a total of 410 participants, including 143 doctors and 267 nurses, working in the surgical clinics of 8 hospitals, including public, university and private hospitals, within the borders of one province in Turkey. Data were collected face-to-face using a questionnaire developed by the researchers, which included descriptive characteristics of the doctors and nurses and questions about sixty-one nutrients and food supplements. Results The median overall success score of the doctors and nurses participating in the study regarding the use of nutrients and food supplements was 3.20 out of 100 points, the median success score of complications and side effects of nutrients and food supplements in the surgical period was 7.06 out of 33 points, the median success score for discontinuation of nutrients and food supplements prior to surgery was 0.21 out of 16 points, and the median success score for drug interactions of nutrients and food supplements was 1.70 out of 51 points. In addition, it was found that the overall success scores of doctors and nurses regarding nutrients and food supplements increased statistically significantly with increasing age and working years. The total success score of doctors and nurses who received training in nutrients and food supplements was statistically significantly higher than that of doctors and nurses who did not receive training. Conclusion In conclusion, it was found that the level of knowledge of nutrients and food supplements among doctors and nurses working in surgical clinics was less than half or even close to zero. Therefore, it is recommended that training on nutrients and food supplements should be included in the undergraduate and postgraduate education of doctors and nurses in order to prevent complications, side effects, drug interactions and patient safety related to the use of nutrients and food supplements in the surgical period.

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Popularity and Customer Preferences for Herbal Medicines in Nigeria: A Questionnaire Based Survey

Cited by 8 publications

References 7 publications

A cross-sectional survey on the use of herbal tea among Cameroonian adults (18–65 years)

A cross-sectional survey on the use of herbal tea among Cameroonian adults (18–65 years)

Herbal medicine from the perspective of type II diabetic patients and physicians: what is the relationship?

Knowledge levels of doctors and nurses working in surgical clinics about nutrients and food supplements, a multicentre descriptive study

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