The Use of Traditional Medicine in the Treatment of Malaria Among Pregnant Women
Chapter One
Purpose of the Study
The main objective of the study is to examine the use of traditional medicine in the treatment of malaria among pregnant women in Abraka, Delta State. While, the specific purpose includes;
- To determine influence of socio-economic status on the use of traditional herbs in the treatment of malaria among pregnant women.
- To find out the extent to which the age of pregnant women determine the use of traditional herbs for the treatment of malaria.
- To find out the extent to which the level of education of pregnant women determine the use of traditional herbs for the treatment of malaria.
- To examine the extent to which the locality of pregnant women determine the use of locally made herbs for treatment of malaria.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
INTRODUCTION
Our focus in this chapter is to critically examine relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and furthermore recognize the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
OVERVIEW OF MALARIA IN PREGNANCY
An infectious disease caused by a parasitic protozoan a blood borne parasite the natural ecology of malaria involves malaria parasites infecting successively two types of hosts: humans and female Anopheles mosquitoes. Parasitic infection of red blood cells is caused by Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale.
Malaria remains a great human scourge. Pregnant women and children below 5 are among the most vulnerable groups. Considering the closeness between mother and child, effective measures put in place to protect the mother from malaria could also protect the child and hence reduce the morbidity and mortality related to malaria. The World Health Organization during its Global ministerial conference on malaria in 1992 in Amsterdam, approved a number of control measures which included early diagnosis and prompt effective treatment, chemoprophylax is in susceptible groups, reduction of man vector contact, Information Education and Communication, surveillance and research.
Malaria Transmission
The geographic location of Nigeria makes the climate suitable for malaria transmission throughout the country. It is estimated that up to 97 percent of the country’s more than 150 million people risk getting the disease. The remaining three percent of the population who live in the mountains in southern Jos (the Plateau State) at an altitude ranging from 1,200 to 1,400 metres, are at relatively low risk for malaria.
Life cycle of malaria parasites
The malaria parasite life cycle involves two hosts. During a blood meal, a malaria-infected female Anopheles mosquito inoculates sporozoites into the human host. Sporozoites infect liver cells and mature into schizonts, which rupture and release merozoites. (Of note, in P. vivax and P. ovale a dormant stage [hypnozoites] can persist in the liver and cause relapses by invading the bloodstream weeks, or even years later.) After this initial replication in the liver (exo- erythrocytic schizogony), the parasites undergo asexual multiplication in the erythrocytes (erythrocytic schizogony). Merozoites infect red blood cells. The ring stage trophozoites mature into schizonts, which rupture releasing merozoites. Some parasites differentiate into sexual erythrocytic stages (gametocytes). Blood stage parasites are responsible for the clinical manifestations of the disease.
The gametocytes, male (microgametocytes) and female (macrogametocytes), are ingested by an Anopheles mosquito during a blood meal. The parasites’ multiplication in the mosquito is known as the sporogonic cycle. While in the mosquito’s stomach, the microgametes penetrate the macrogametes generating zygotes. The zygotes in turn become motile and elongated (ookinetes) which invade the midgut wall of the mosquito where they develop into oocysts. The oocysts grow, rupture, and release sporozoites, which make their way to the mosquito’s salivary glands. Inoculation of the sporozoites into a new human host perpetuates the malaria life cycle.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitute of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine the use of traditional medicine in the treatment of malaria among pregnant women in Abraka, Delta State. Pregnant women aged 20-45 years attending Antenatal Clinics in five (5) selected Health facilities of Delta State form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of one hundred and forty-seven (147) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only one hundred and forty-one (141) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 141 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
SUMMARY
In this study, our focus was to examine the use of traditional medicine in the treatment of malaria among pregnant women in Abraka, Delta State. The study specifically was aimed at determining the influence of socio-economic status on the use of traditional herbs in the treatment of malaria among pregnant women, finding out the extent to which the age of pregnant women determine the use of traditional herbs for the treatment of malaria, the extent to which the level of education of pregnant women determine the use of traditional herbs for the treatment of malaria, and examining the extent to which the locality of pregnant women determine the use of locally made herbs for treatment of malaria.
The study adopted a survey research design and conveniently enrolled 147 participants in the study.Well structured questionnaire was issued to the participant which provided answers to the research questions. A total of 141 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from pregnant women between the age of 20-45 in selected healthcare centre in Abraka, Delta State. Hypothesis was tested using T-test statistical tool (SPSS).
CONCLUSION
Based on the findings of this study, the researcher made the following conclusion.
- There is a significant difference between the Socioeconomic status in use of traditional medicine for the treatment of malaria among pregnant women in Abraka.
- There is a significant difference between the age groups in the use of traditional medicine for the treatment of malaria by of pregnant women in Abraka.
- There is a significant difference between the levels of Education in the use of traditional medicine for the treatment of malaria among pregnant women in Abraka.
- There is a significant difference between Urban and Rural areas in the use of traditional medicine for the treatment of malaria by pregnant women in Abraka
RECOMMENDATION
Based on the findings of this study, the researcher recommends that the Delta State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Malaria support program in the state should:
- Ensure adequate and regular supplies of herbs to the health
- Provide technical support to health facilities on Traditional treatment implementation through training and re-training of staff in the health
- The Delta State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Malaria support program should intensify support for radio jingles on malaria TRADITIONAL TREATMENT with herbs in all the radio station in the state and the sub-station in the
- The health workers in the ANCs should have well planned health education schedules for the year and this should include malaria in pregnancy and traditional treatment. Schedules should be followed religiously so that the pregnant women are well educated. Emphasis should be made on consequences of malaria to pregnant women and their unborn
- The health workers in the ANCs should be encouraged to ensure detailed documentation of service delivery at
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- Brabin BJ. An analysis of malaria in pregnancy in Africa. Bull World Health Organization 1983; 61: 1005-16.
- control during pregnancy in the African Region. Brazzaville: WHO
- Falade CO, Yusuf BO, Fadero FF, Mokolu OA, Hamer DH, Salako LA: Traditional medicine with sulfadoxinepyrimethamine is effective in preventing maternal and placental malaria in Ibadan, south-western Nigeria. Malaria Journal 200; 6: 88.
- Falade CO, Yusuf BO, Fadero FF, Mokolu OA, Hamer DH, Salako LA: Traditional medicine with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine is effective in preventing maternal and placental malaria in Ibadan, south-western Nigeria. Malaria Journal 2007, 6:88
- Federal Ministry of Health. National Antimalaria treatment guidelines, Feb 2005:
