AN ASSESSMENT OF HERBAL MEDICINE TREATMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The focus of this research was on patronage of herbal medicine and its relationship with public health and how it could be integrated into public healthcare delivery in Plateau State. The study adopted a cross-sectional design involving the administration of questionnaires to 381 respondents and key informant interview with relevant stakeholders in the fields of herbal medicine and public health in Plateau State. The data obtained was analysed and presented in simple percentages, tables and charts using thematic content analysis. The study found a positive relationship between herbal medicine and public health, and the need to include herbal medicine into essential medicine list in Plateau State. The study also established impressive patronage of herbal medicine in public health care delivery in Plateau State with families very often using herbal medicine for treatment of diseases or for personal wellbeing. The study therefore recommended that Plateau Sate government should build the capacity of herbal medicine practitioners on dosage, efficacy, and safety measures of herbal medicine and on primary healthcare delivery, and subsequently establish policy to guide the use of herbal medicine and its practice on the Plateau.