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Published:
Mar 18, 2019Keywords:
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Main Article Content
Use of herbal medicines in a Nigerian community and their reported adverse effects: A pilot study
Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the use of herbal medicines in Nsukka community and determine the adverse reactions associated with this practice.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 120 persons was conducted in Ogige market, Nsukka using selfadministered questionnaires. Outcomes measured included proportion of respondents who use herbal medicines and their reasons, their perception on the safety and effectiveness of the medicines, their purchasing habits of the medicines, those who recommend the medicines, and adverse reactions to them. Frequency analysis and Pearson’s correlation test were conducted with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: Less than half of the respondents (43.2%) took herbal medicines without consulting a health professional, and more than 60 % of them believed that herbal medicines are safe and effective. Only 47.4 % of the respondents claimed to have ever experienced mild adverse effects following the use of the medicines which were resolved with advice sought from health professionals. Stooling and vomiting were the major reported adverse effects. Older respondents had a better perception on the safety of herbal medicines (p = 0.005) and are less likely to tell their health professionals that they are already taking herbal medicines when orthodox medicines are prescribed/recommended for them. High-income earners spent more on herbal medicines (p = 0.029) than others.
Conclusion: Many respondents use herbal medicines without consulting a health professional. However, most of them seek advice from health professionals when adverse effects result from these medicines during use.
Keywords: Adverse effects, health professionals, herbal medicines use, Nsukka community
