Influence of the areas of specialization of Traditional Medicine Practitioners (TMPS) on the types of formulation prescribed in the management of memory loss

Abstract

Traditional Medicine Practitioners (TMPs) make use of plants in alleviation of many illnesses including memory loss. Their specialization categories could include traditional healers, herbalists, herb sellers, etc. Most of them learnt the trade as apprentices from their trainers or their parents. This study was designed to investigate if there was an association between the areas of specialization of the TMP and the choice of formulation (mono- or multicomponent herbal) in the management of memory loss. A hundred TMPs consisting of 18 traditional healers and 82 herb sellers in Lagos State were randomly interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Various data on age, sex, areas of specialization of the TMPs, plants used, mode of administration, life forms of plants used and the types of herbal formulation prescribed for memory loss were obtained. The two variables involved (areas of specialization of the TMPs and formulation type) were compared using Chi square statistical tool to measure their association and inferences were drawn from the results. About 88% of all respondents have used multi-component herbal formulations while only 12% have used mono-component herbal formulations. About 82% of all the respondents were herb sellers and 18% of them were traditional healers. About 89% of literate respondents have used multi-component herbal formulations while 11% of them have used mono-component herbal formulations. Similarly, about 89% of herb sellers have used multi-component herbal formulations while about 11% of them have used mono-component herbal formulations. About 83% of traditional healers have used multi-component herbal formulations while about 17% of them have used mono-component herbal formulations. There was no significant association between the types of occupation of the TMPs interviewed and the types of formulation used (p< 0.05). This study shows that the occupations (trades) of TMPs did not influence their choice of type of formulations.

Keywords: Mono-component herbal, multi-component herbal, traditional medicine practitioners, occupation