Assessment of Socio-economic Status and the Utilization of Traditional Herbs in the Treatment of Malaria Among Pregnant Women
CHAPTER ONE
Objectives of the Study
The objectives of this study therefore, are to:
- Determine the rationale for the continued usage of traditional methods in the treatment and management of malaria among pregnant women ;
- To determine what segment of the population (whether rural or urban) uses traditional medicine more than the other;
- To ascertain the potential consequences of the continued use of traditional measures in the treatment of malaria instead of ACTs.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
This chapter discusses the causes, types and incidence of malaria; various measures aimed at controlling malaria in Nigeria; Categories of traditional healers; traditional medicine in contemporary Nigeria and predisposing factors for use of traditional medicine in malaria treatment;
Malaria: causes, types and incidence
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by parasitic protozoa of the genus Plasmodium within the red bloods cells characterized by attacks of chills, fever and sweating.
It is transmitted by the female Anopheles Mosquito which is mainly confined to tropical areas. There are approximately 400 Anopheles species known and out of which 30-40 are responsible for transmitting four different species of parasites of the genus Plasmodium– the main cause of malaria affecting many human beings. Anopheles gambiae is one of the best known out of these parasites. Quick multiplication of parasites results in destruction of red blood cells and as the number increases, the chances of affecting read blood cells increases.
Malaria is mainly caused by parasitic protozoa, which spends most of its life in the red blood cells of humans. Malaria is spread by the female Anopheles mosquito, which transmits the parasites by first ingesting them from an infected person’s blood and then injecting the parasites into a healthy person. Malaria is caused by one of four protozoa species of the genus Plasmodium which are Plasmodium falciparum, plasmodium vivax, plasmodium ovale and plasmodium malaria.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
This chapter discusses the Research Design, population of the study, sample and sampling technique, instrument, method of data analysis and validity of the instrument.
RESEARCH DESIGN
The design for this study was a cross-sectional sample survey. Information was collected on the uses of and attitudes of respondents towards traditional medicine in the treatment of malaria in Nigeria; with particular reference to Anambra State.
This research design was adopted because cross sectional surveys aim at collecting information on certain variables in a study population at one point in time. They may cover physical characteristics of people as well as the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and opinions that help to explain that behaviour; events and practices that occurred or are occurring in the population.
In addition, Eboh (2009) views it as an investigation in which only part or sample of the population is studied and the selection is made such that the sample is representative of the whole population. This method was also adopted by Anumudu et al. (2006).
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION AND ANALYSES OF DATA
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents data collected from the field in 2010. The respondents comprised randomly selected caregivers in one community in one Local Government in each of the three Senatorial zones in Anambra State.
QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSE RATE
A total number of four hundred questionnaires were randomly distributed out of which a total of three hundred and ninety six questionnaires were returned. Out of this, one hundred and eighty four respondents are males (46.5%) while two hundred and twelve respondents (53.5%) are females.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION
SUMMARY
The objectives of this study were threefold: to determine the rationale for the continued usage of traditional methods in the treatment and management of malaria in among pregnant women; to determine what segment of the population (whether rural or urban) uses traditional medicine more than the other; and to ascertain the potential consequences of the continued use of traditional measures in the treatment of malaria instead of ACTs. A two-stage stratified proportional random sampling technique involving the selection of one community in one Local Government in each of the three Senatorial zones of Anambra State (taking note of gender and location classifications) were selected to achieve the objectives of this study. Sample size of 398 respondents was selected for this study in which their opinions were sought and received through the administration, collection, collation and analyses of questionnaires.
Chapter one of this study provided its explanatory notes. This was followed by the second chapter which reviewed its theoretical and empirical literatures. The chapter also discussed the causes, types and incidence of malaria; malaria control measures in Nigeria; implications and cost effects of various malaria control strategies; Traditional medicine in malaria control in Nigeria;
Traditional medicine in contemporary Nigeria; Predisposing factors for use of traditional medicine in malaria treatment; Contributions of traditional medicine to Primary Health Care delivery and the challenges confronting the practice of traditional medicine. In chapter three, the research methodology was discussed. This included the research design, types and sources of data used, population of study, sample, and validity of instrument, instrument for data collection and its administration, and the method of data analyses. Chapter four presented the findings of this study.
The following can be inferred from the findings of this study:
- Despite the intake of conventional anti malarial medicines, there are still multiple cases of reoccurrence of malaria within the first four months of initial intake of conventional medicines while others always have malaria despite intake of conventional anti malarial medicines.
- Despite the use of Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) every night and the completion of prescribed doses of malaria medicines, people still suffer from at least one episode of malaria on a yearly basis.
- There is a huge cultural support for the use of herbal remedies in the treatment of malaria in Nigeria. This also accounts for the huge patronage of herbal remedies in the treatment of malaria.
- Many Nigerians have acquired the skill for the preparation of herbal remedies used in the treatment of malaria. This has helped to localize its preparation and boosted its patronage.
- Nigerians believe that to a certain extent, herbal remedies are trustworthy, easily accessible, affordable and provides quick relief from malaria after its intake.
- The issues discussed above have strengthened the rationale for the continued use of traditional remedies in the treatment of malaria.
- More males take herbal remedies for the treatment of malaria than females.
- Herbal remedies are consumed more by rural dwellers than the urban dwellers.
- Continued use of herbal remedies for the treatment of malaria without a proper regulatory framework could lead to multiple cases of adverse drug reactions and failure to cure malaria, among others.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the findings of this study, the following policy recommendations are therefore proffered;
- There is a need for the Government to create and sponsor research schemes that aim towards the development and optimal utilization of herbal remedies as alternatives to conventional anti malarial medicines.
- is very important given the wide use and acceptability that traditional medicine has gained in Nigeria. Products of the researches should also be recognized by the Government and replicated to all parts of the country so that interested people will learn how to prepare them.
- There is also a need for the Government to massively sensitize the people on the dangers of the indiscriminate use of herbal remedies. This is because of the discovery in this study, that many people combine herbal and conventional methods during a malaria episode. This is because of their belief that herbal remedies should be complimented with conventional medicines to ensure effectiveness.
- There is also a need for the Government to identify and view herbal medicine practitioners and partners in progress rather than detractors. This will engender partnership and exchange of ideas that could help combat the scourge of malaria in the Country.
- There is also a strong need for the Government to strengthen its regulatory oversight on the operations of the herbal medicine practitioners. This will help to standardize their operations and eliminate quacks and engender trust and patronage from the citizens. It will also help reduce the menace of adverse drug reactions as reported in the study.
- Finally, following the revelation from the study that both the use of recommended doses of ACTs and usage of long lasting insecticide treated nets do not guarantee immunity from malaria on a yearly basis, there is
- therefore the need by the Government to explore other measures that could help combat the menace of malaria. These could take the form of commissioning a comprehensive outdoor vector spraying round the country on a sustainable and continuous basis. Although this option is capital intensive, it will assist in eliminating the malaria parasites on a permanent basis.
CONCLUSION
In this study, it has been established that herbal remedies for the treatment of malaria are widely used by Nigerians irrespective of gender and location of residence although with significant limitations.
It must be stressed that there is an urgent need to study and implement the above policy recommendations of this research.
It is our expectation that, if this is done, the country will significantly scale up its capacity to combat the menace of malaria on a sustainable and permanent basis.
BIBLOGRAPHY
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