ASSESSING THE USE OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINE IN THE TREATMENT OF MALARIA AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN

ASSESSING THE USE OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINE IN THE TREATMENT OF MALARIA AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN

BACKGROUND OF TJHE STUDY

Malaria is a potentially fatal parasite illness spread by female Anopheles mosquitos. Malaria is responsible for approximately 60% of out-patient visits to health institutions in Nigeria, 30% of paediatric fatalities, 25% of deaths in infants under one year old, and 11% of maternal mortality (National Population Commission, 2008; Noland et al., 2016). Similarly, Okonofua (2017) opined that malaria affects around 70% of pregnant women, contributing to maternal anaemia, low birth weight, stillbirths, abortions, and other pregnancy-related problems (Federal Ministry of Health Abuja, 2005).

Malaria is still one of the world's most serious threats to tropical regions. It is a lethal and crippling illness that affects the physical and economic well-being of individuals living in Africa's endemic areas (WHO, 2008). Pregnant women are among those at greater risk (Okwa, 2003). According to recent worldwide estimates, there are between 300 and 500 million clinical cases of malaria each year, with 1.50 to 2.70 million fatalities related to malaria (Oshikoy 2016).  Pregnant women are more vulnerable to malaria because of the inherent immunological suppression that occurs during pregnancy (Fievet, 2008). As a result, it is one of the most critical health conditions affecting pregnant women since it has the potential to endanger the woman's or the fetus's life (WHO, 2010).

Herbs, herbal materials, herbal preparations, and completed herbal products containing active substances, portions of plants, or other plant materials, or mixtures are examples of traditional herbal medicine. Herbal remedies come as liquids, powders, capsules, pills, and ointments. Some are pre-packaged, while others are produced as required, and are used not just to treat sickness, but also to maintain or improve one's health (WHO, 2002). According to Eugene (2019), the use of herbal remedies is rather common in Africa, and the global usage of herbal medicine is increasing. When compared to contemporary pharmaceuticals, most pregnant women think that these remedies are "natural" and "safe." Furthermore, in many rural communities, traditional medicine is thought to alleviate medical issues and enhance health status throughout pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care (Khadivzadeh and Ghabel, 2012).

According to Erhun, Agbani, and Adesanya (2004), many pregnant women who engage in such practises learn about it via family, neighbours, acquaintances, traditional medicine merchants, and, in some cases, the media (Shah, 2004). The situation is exacerbated by a lack of antenatal health delivery centres and functional health institutions (Rohra, 2008); poor medical services and attitudes of medical staff; a lack of professional control over pharmaceutical products (Abrahams and Jewkes, 2002); and the high cost of synthetic malaria medicine compared to traditional orthodox ones (Dossou-Yov, 2001).

Furthermore, several factors such as women's socioeconomic status, poverty issues, cultural perception, age, sex, income level, religion and belief in the entity of certain diseases, and their perceived responses to indigenous medications have been widely reported as indicators that influence their attitude (WHO, 2002).  According to Kyomuhendo (20q5), pregnant women's decisions about health and prenatal care attendance are impacted by society's patriarchal structure, which gives males control over resources to the detriment of women. The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of traditional medicine in the treatment of malaria among pregnant women in Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria.

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