Knowledge and Utilization of Traditional Medicines for the Management of Febrile Conditions by Adults in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Fever is a rise in body temperature over and above the accepted normal temperature range. Fever is almost always a symptom or sign of an underlying health problem. Traditionally, different societies have devised various ways of treating fever or febrile illnesses. In Africa and most developing countries, people who develop fever usually apply first aid or home remedies before resorting to the formal health care system. This study was therefore aimed at assessing the knowledge and use of traditional medicines for the home management of febrile illness by adults in Bende LGA of Abia State. Method: A cross sectional questionnaire-based descriptive survey design was adopted for the study using a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire. A sample of 388 respondents were recruited using a multi stage sampling technique. Data generated were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS version 20). Literature were reviewed based on the various variables of the study. Results: The findings of the study revealed that over 91% of respondents have good knowledge on febrile illness. The study also revealed a high proportion of use of traditional medicine with 154 (53.7%) using traditional medicine for the treatment of they consider as malaria. The study also showed that culture, religion, level of education, perceived effectiveness of herbal medicines, and personal interest were the major factors responsible for the utilization of traditional medicine. Majority 229(58.9%) of the respondents however affirmed that personal interest was the dominant reason for their use of traditional herbs in the home management of febrile illness. Conclusions /Recommendations:  The findings of the study revealed the respondents in the study area exhibited a high prevalence of the use of herbal medicines in management of febrile illness at homes and that culture, religion, level of education, and personal interest were the key determinant factors responsible for the utilization of traditional medicine.  While the herbal plants enumerated by the respondents were found to be largely beneficial in managing the acute febrile episodes, unregulated use of these home remedies could equally be dangerous to human health. It is therefore pertinent that appropriate measures be put in place to enlighten community members about the possible side effect of the long term unregulated use of the herbal plants.