USE OF HERBAL REMEDIES FOR INFANTS BY NURSING MOTHERS IN IBADAN SOUTH EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Use of herbal preparations is gaining use throughout the world and is redefined as comprising therapeutic practices that have been in existence for hundreds of years. Medicinal plants have played a vital role in man’s health as a large percentage of world’s population still depend on herbal medicine to meet their health needs. The foetus, infants and older children, the elderly and pregnant women are at risk of adverse effects of herbal medicines. Infants are physiologically more vulnerable to certain adverse effects of herbs than are adults because they have developing nervous and immune system. It is hoped that the findings generated from this study will provide greater insight on polyherbal mixture usage on infants by nursing mothers. The evidence generated from this study will serve as a reference point to inform policy makers in addressing the issue of morbidity and mortality among infants and also provide a basis for further research. Hence, this study was carried out to investigate use of herbal remedies for infants by nursing mothers in Ibadan South East Local Government Area, (IBSELGA) Oyo State. The study was both quantitative and qualitative. The quantitative was a descriptive cross sectional survey. A four stage sampling technique was used to select a total number of 340 consenting nursing mothers from six health centres in IBSELGA. A validated semi-structured interview administered questionnaire was used for the study. Perception towards safety of herbal remedies was measured on an 18-point scale; scores o f ≤8, >9 were categorized as poor and good perception respectively. Perception on efficacy of herbal remedies were measured on an 8-point scale; scores of ≤4, >5 were categorized as poor and good respectively. A key informant interview (KII) guide was used to conduct seven KIIs for herb sellers in Bode Market. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Fisher’s exact at p=0.05 and qualitative data were analysed thematically. The mean age of respondents was 27.9± 6.1years, 93.8% were Yoruba, 71.2% had secondary education and the mean age of babies was 6.6±3.5months. All, (100%) the nursing mothers have used herbal remedies for their infants, 86.8% first used herbal remedies for their infants when they were less than six months. The respondents used herbal remedies for health maintenance (20%), prevention (67.9%) and treatment of diseases (54.4%). The major disease conditions for which herbal medicines were used are malaria, measles, okaori, diarrhea, haemorrhoid, skin diseases, colic pain, convulsion, and jaundice. Mothers-in-law were the major source of

information (33.4%) on the use of herbal remedies. Major factors influencing use of herbal remedies were belief in nature (29.8%) and influence of friends and relatives (25%). Majority of the respondents (97.1%) and 95.9% had poor perception about safety and efficacy of herbal remedies respectively. There was no significant relationship between level of education of respondents and their perception towards safety of herbal remedies. Perception of respondents towards safety and efficacy of herbal remedies were poor. Public enlightenment is vital in addressing the gaps identified.