Prevalence and Patterns of Herbal Medicine use in Bayelsa State: Potential Customers Victimology Insight for Behavioural Forensics

Prevalence and Patterns of Herbal Medicine use in Bayelsa State: Potential Customers Victimology Insight for Behavioural Forensics

Ebiye Adipere1, Ubodiom Epem2, Harrison Ogala1, Goodhope Kemebaradikumo Bonnie3, Valentine Obinna Okpoko1, Iboyi Nathaniel Onuche1, Chigozie Ekene1 and Esther Tamarautare Fullpower4
1Admiralty University of Nigeria, Ibusa, Delta State
2Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education, Sagbama, Bayelsa State
3Bayelsa State College of Health Technology, Otuogidi, Bayelsa State
4Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State

DOI: https://doi.org/10.51584/IJRIAS.2023.8506

Received: 25 April 2023; Accepted: 04 May 2023; Published: 04 June 2023

Abstract: The need to affirm the ever rising patronage of herbal medicine through the prevalence and patterns with the view to explore potential victimology insight for behavioural forensics necessitated this study. The data of the study was generated from 1200 participants drawn from eight LGAs using structured questionnaire as instrument. Findings from the study revealed high prevalence (91.17 %) of herbal medicine use; age, sex, educational level and income were associated with herbal medicine use. The study also revealed that age group 30 – 39 years (34.74 %) of the studied population was found to be the predominant participants that used herbal medicine, more females (53.11 %) used herbal medicine compared to males (46.89 %), participants with primary school level of education were found to be the major users of herbal medicine followed by participants with secondary school level of education (31.17 %), also, low income earners were found to be the predominant users of herbal medicines. Non-infection (sex enhancement, weight loss, fertility), anti-infection (malaria, typhoid, cough, STDs), pains/pregnancy management, and others 34.55 %, 30.99 %, 25.05 %, and 9.41 % respectively were the health issues herbal medicine was used to manage by the participants. Findings from the study portrayed likely vulnerabilities of the participants to potential victims of sharp medical practices or medical fraud.

Keywords: Herbal medicine, healthcare, vulnerabilities, victims, sharp practices, behavioural forensics.

I. Introduction

The popularity and usage of herbal medicines is worthy of close attention. There is an increasing demand on the use of herbal medicines (HM) globally (Rocha et al., 2016). Similarly, Skalicka-Woźniak et al., (2016) highlighted that it is only less than 21% of the population in developing countries that do not use HM or traditional medicine as their primary healthcare needs. HM are preparations containing substances with therapeutic potencies obtained from one or more plants, raw or processed parts to benefit health of humans (WHO, 2000). Herbal medicine represents a natural form of healthcare which has experienced generational usage. About 75% estimated population of Nigerians prefers to solve their health problems with herbal medical products (Adesina, 2007). This potentiates a deep belief and reliance on herbal medicines for their health needs. Pirzada et al. (2009) and Onwordi et al. (2015) as an alternative

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