Use of Herbal Medicine among Adult Residents in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria

Aim: This study was aimed at determining the use of herbal medicine among adult residents in Calabar metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria.

Study Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study design.

Place and Duration of Study: Calabar metropolis, Cross River State Nigeria between June 2016 to August 2016.

Methodology: A 20-itemed, semi-structured questionnaire was used to generate data from 208 respondents which were drawn using multi-stage random sampling technique. Data generated were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 22.0) and results were presented in tables and charts. Pearson product moment correlation coefficient was used to test the four hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance.

Results: The results obtained in this study showed that out of 200 respondents, 128 (64.0%) reported to have used herbal medicine/herbs in the past 12 months, 102 (51%) six months, 86 (43%) three months and 75 (37.5%) one month preceding the time of survey. While 78 (35.5%) respondents reported that the herbal medicine/herbs used was self-made, 55 (25%) herbal vendors and 30 (13.6%) parents constituted major sources of herbal medicine for other respondents. Respondents highlighted that 44 (20.1%) treatment of diseases, 39 (17.8%) food supplements, 31 (14.1%) laxative and 24 (11.0%) skin care were their reasons for the use of herbal medicine. Reasons for preference to herbal medicine than other types of medications as indicated by the respondents were predominantly because herbs are 68 (37.8%) very affordable, 50 (27.8%) very effective and 38 (21.1%) readily available. Out of 161 respondents who reported to have used herbs/herbal medicine, only 24 (12%) reported to have experienced side effects of which 9 (37.5%) dizziness, 6 (25%) watery stool, 4 (16.7%) abdominal pain and 3 (12.5%) vomiting were the most highlighted.

Conclusion: A pharmaceutical regulatory body should be instituted to monitor the activities of herbal practitioners and ensure that herbal medical products are standardized, quantified and safe for consumption.