FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH USE OF HERBAL MEDICINE AMONG PATIENTS IN HERBAL CLINICS IN GUCHA DISTRICT, KENYA

Abstract

Introduction: Medicinal plants have played a key role in world health in spite of great advances observed in conventional medicine in recent decades, herbal medicine still makes an important contribution to health care. World  Health  Organization  estimated  that  80%  of  the  developing  countries  depend  on  herbal  medicine  to meet  their  healthcare  needs.  Due  to  the  increased  use  of  herbal  medicine,  there  is  an  urgent  need  for  the appropriate systems of quality control in the practice as well as in the production and use of the medicines.
Objective: The main objective of this study was to determine the factors associated with utilization of herbal medicine by the Abagusii community among patients in herbal clinics in Gucha districts. Design:  A  cross-sectional  study  was  carried  out  among  167  purposively  selected  patients.  Semi-structured questionnaire was administered to patients.
Data Analysis: Quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS) version 20.Results: Of the 167 patients recruited into the study,  68.9% prefer using herbal medicine. However,  67.7% of
the  respondents  occasionally  visit  conventional  hospital  for  the  same  or  different  health  conditions.  Among the  patients  interviewed,  they  all  had  positive  attitude  toward  herbal  medicine.  Respondents’  reasons  for taking  herbal  medication  were  varied  and  included  reasons  such  as  herbs  having  better  efficacy  (83%)  than
conventional  medicine,  while  27.5%  believed  that  herbal  medicines  being  natural  are  safe  to  use.  Due  to deeply rooted cultural belief that herbal medicine treated certain diseases and maintained good health,  (6%) of  the  respondents  preferred  to  use  herbal  medicine.  The  respondents  believed  in  better  quality  of  service offered by the herbalists which was statistically significant in the  influence on respondents' choice of medical care. The respondents mainly used herbal medicine for  gastro-intestinal disorders (46.2%) and malaria (9.7%).
Relatives had a marked influence on 37.7% of the respondents using herbal medicine while, media also played an important role in creating awareness. Conclusion:  An attitude toward using herbal medicines is predictor of the intention to use herbal  medicines. The community believes in the importance of herbal medicine for maintaining health thus, positive attitude towards efficacy and safety of herbal medicine.  Further research on herbal medicine use in Gucha should be carried out in order to establish the efficacy and safety of the medicines used by the community.

Key words: herbal medicine; efficacy, safety, attitude