HERBS HEALTH INFORMATION AND USERS HEALTH BELIEF A STUDY OF HERBAL DRUG USERS IN SOUTHEAST NIGERIA

INTRODUCTION

In recent times, the use of herbal drugs in the treatment of illnesses is becoming ever more popular especially in developing nations. According to Tamuno, Omole-Ohonsi and Fadare (2010), herbal drugs (sometimes referred to as herbal medicine) are in relative high demand, perhaps due to the efficacy claims of herbal drug in contrast to orthodox medicine which many see as synthetic and easily adulterated. However, the studies of Pelletier (2004); Talalay (2001) and Elvin-Lewis (2001) indicate that although herbal drugs have shown promising potentials with efficacy claims, many of them remain untested thus raising serious health issues concerning herb use vis-à-vis available health information. Though some herb users doubt the efficacy of herbal drugs, a good number is ready to vouch for its potency. Shaw (1998) observes that in many developing countries, a large proportion of the population relies on traditional practitioners and their armamentarium of medicinal plants in order to meet healthcare needs. Although modern medicine may exist side-by-side with such traditional practice, herbal drugs have often maintained their popularity for historical and cultural reasons. On the other hand, Schulz, Hansel and Tyler (2001) point out that some methods of folk healing throughout the world commonly used herbs as part of their tradition in healing of aliments and providing some examples of arrays of important healing practices around the world that used herbs for this purpose.

The World Health Organization (2004) promotes and strengthens internationally coordinated information exchange and safety monitoring of herbal drugs among member states. Different forms of herbal medicines exist such as herbal supplements or pure medicinal herbs. Whatever the type, herbs serve as both medicine and food; however, their efficacy remains a subject of clinical and empirical study. Citing World Health Organisation (WHO), Tamuno, Omole-Ohonsi and Fadare (2010) state that about 80% of people living in Africa use herbal drugs for the management of their prevailing diseases.

This high use of herbal drugs may be due to accessibility, affordability, availability and acceptability of traditional herbal medicines by majority of the population in developing countries. Majority of herbal drugs used in Africa are provided by practitioners who live within the communities, have been trusted over time and are often willing to assist the patients with their knowledge and skills, sometimes at minimal costs to the patients (Tamuno (2011) and Fakeye, Adisa and Musa (2009).

In Nigeria, the production and distribution of herbal drug is regulated by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to ensure strict compliance with approved herbal guidelines. For instance, NAFDAC, in the exercise of the powers conferred on it by Section 8 of the Drugs and Related Products (Registration), prohibits the manufacture, importation, advertising and sale of herbal medicine and related products in Nigeria without due registration with the agency in accordance with the provisions of the Section. Irrespective of NAFDAC regulations, there is nevertheless high proliferation of herbal drugs in the market peddled by practitioners without registration. The practitioners are found in both rural and urban areas espousing the healing virtues of their preparations as well as offering services varying from the sales of herbal to spiritual healing products. The crux of investigation was to determine whether availability of health information influences herbal drug use vis-à-vis users’ belief in Southeast Nigeria. This is justified by the works of Shehu and Sheshi (2007) that posit that a worrisome challenge about herbal drug use is the perception of fetish beliefs as the main healing component of healing power of herbal drugs.