Perception, usage and knowledge of herbal medicines by students and academic staff of University of Nigeria: A survey

Introduction: Data on perception, knowledge and the use of herbal medicine by an educated population will be helpful for on-going discussions on forming policies to support integrative medicine within the formal healthcare delivery system in Africa. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the knowledge, perception, and use of herbal medicine by students (n = 1075) and academic staff (n = 177) at the university of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria. Methods: A validated, self-complete 26-item questionnaire was administered anonymously to university staff and students. Results: Over 50% of the respondents believed that herbal medicines were effective and should be integrated into the modern health care system. Approximately 70% of the students surveyed had used at least one form of herbal therapy for a number of indications, especially malaria (54.2%) and typhoid fever (36.6%). Recommendations for the use of herbal medicines were made by family and friends (54.4%). There was a relationship between the respondent's academic field of study and their perceptions. Whereas majority of respondents in Arts, Humanities, and the Social Sciences faculties viewed herbal medicines as natural and completely safe, the majority of their colleagues in Biological Sciences, Veterinary Medicines, Paramedical Sciences, Medicine, and Pharmacy did not agree that herbal medicines are completely safe. The general opinion and perception of herbal medicines by respondents was positive, with a mean perception index of 2.73 on a 4-Likert scale. The majority of study participants had either used or were using one form of herbal medicine or another. Sources of information on herbal medicine were mainly from the electronic and print mass media, friend, peers, and family. Health professionals like doctors, nurses and pharmacist were not popular sources of information on herbal medicine; however, majority of respondents preferred that prescriptions of herbal medicines were issued by doctors and would like to see their use in hospitals. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that most of the participants that have used herbal medicines were sufficiently aware of herbal medicine and had a general positive attitude toward their usage. (C) 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.