Herbal remedy in the treatment of malaria: cross sectional survey of residents of Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Semi structured questionnaires, designed to capture information on the type, composition, method of preparation. dosage, mode of administration, and frequency of use of herbal preparations in malaria treatment, were administered to 1.593 adults of the 3 main ethnic groups and a forth group comprising other smaller ethnic groups designated as "others", all resident in Lagos metropolis in a cross sectional survey. The 1.593 respondents were made up of 892 males and 701 females and their ages ranged from 19 to 60 years. A high percentage in all the ethnic groups especially the Yorubas admitted to the use of herbs in treating malaria |Yoruba (69%). Hausa (47%). others (32%) and Igbo (30%) |. Effectiveness of herbs in treating malaria episodes featured as the major factor for their use as claimed by the majority (>50%) of the respondents in each of the ethnic groups, while cost consideration was the next most important factor. Other factors mentioned included the absence of side effect in herbal use. to avoid the itchy side effect and ineffectiveness of chloroquine and some other anti-malarial. An appreciable percentage across the ethnic groups had no idea of the constituents of the herbal remedies they use for treating their malaria episodes since they buy these from traditional herbalists. Varied combinations of these herbs in combination with different types of fruits and other substances arc claimed to be used, the main ones of which arc Azardiracha indica and pineapple. A large majority of respondents in all the ethnic groups claimed to use the same herbs for the treatment and prevention of malaria and great improvement is experienced after use | Hausas (90%). Igbos (83%).Yorubas (77%) and the others (88%)|. There is usually no specific dose or dose regimen, however a high proportion in all the ethnic groups use herbal preparation thrice a day and a few of the respondents take unspecified measures at arbitral)' intervals. The lack of standards in the use of these herbal preparations needs to be urgently addressed especially as use continued until the malaria symptoms and signs are deemed to have disappeared. There is also need to standardize the usage of herbs if they are to play a significant role in malaria prevention and treatment