Traditional healers' perception on scabies causation and management in Ghana.

INTRODUCTION: Scabies is an underdiagnosed skin infestation caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. The infection causes severe itching and a skin rash but can be effectively treated using topical or systemic drugs. Scabies outbreaks are commonly reported in resource-poor countries, including Ghana. Traditional healers play an important role in primary care in rural areas. The role of these traditional healers in the management of scabies has so far not been explored. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the perceptions of traditional healers regarding the causation and management of scabies. METHODS: A phenomenological qualitative approach was employed. Traditional healers in the Asante Akim North and Central districts in Ghana were approached with an interview request. Using a semi-structured interview protocol, 15 traditional healers were interviewed. The results were coded and analysed, after which seven themes were extrapolated. RESULTS: Scabies infections were frequently reported by traditional healers. Itching and skin rash were unanimously regarded as the major symptoms of scabies. The majority acknowledged the infectious nature of scabies, but no participant reported the causative organism. A dichotomous disease classification was noted, consisting of 'natural' and 'spiritual' variants each with a unique disease profile and management requirements, as reported by the traditional healers. All but two traditional healers reported to treat scabies using almost exclusively herbs and spiritual rituals. CONCLUSION: The majority of traditional healers were open to collaboration with allopathic healthcare providers. Collaboration could broaden the primary care network in rural areas, but mistrust and lack of transparency form potential barriers to collaboration. We, therefore, emphasise the need for additional efforts to investigate strategies for future collaboration.

Medicinal ethnoveterinary plants used for treating livestock ailments in the omo-gibe and rift valley basins of Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Traditional medical practices have been used to maintain animal health for millennia and have been passed down orally from generation to generation. In Ethiopia also, plants are the primary means by which the indigenous people in remote areas treat the illnesses of their animals. The present study was therefore, carried out to document the type and distribution of medicinal plants of the county. METHODS: To collect ethnobotanical information, a total of 205 informants (133 men and 72 women) were selected. Among these 121 traditional medicine practitioners, while the remaining 84 were selected through a systematic random sampling method. Ethnobotanical data were collected between January 2023 and August 2023 through semi-structured interviews, participant observation, guided filed walks and focus group discussions. Using descriptive statistics, the ethnobotanical data were analyzed for the Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) and Fidelity Level (FL) values, preference, and direct matrix rankings. SPSS 26.0 and PAST 4.11 software were used in data analysis. RESULTS: Totally, 78 ethnoveterinary medicinal plants distributed in 36 families were identified in the study area. Asteraceae was the dominant family with 9 species (14%), followed by Euphorbiaceae with 8 species (12%). Herbs 42(56%), wild collected 62 (66%), and leaf part (52%) made the highest share of the plant species. Hordeum vulgare L. had the highest fidelity level (FL = 98%) for treating bone fractures. Blackleg, bloat, and endoparsistes each had the highest values of the consensus factor among the informants (ICF = 1). According to preference ranking, Withania somnifera was the most potent remedy for treating blackleg. Knowledge of medicinal plants was shared through storytelling within families. CONCLUSION: In the study area, there is broad access to traditional medicinal plants that can treat ailments in animals. Conservation efforts should be prioritized to protect medicinal plants from threats such as agricultural expansion, drought, and development. Further research should be conducted to explore the potential of different medicinal plants for treating common livestock ailments.

Understanding maternal Ethnomedical Folklore in Central Uganda: a cross-sectional study of herbal remedies for managing Postpartum hemorrhage, inducing uterine contractions and abortion in Najjembe sub-county, Buikwe district.

Pregnant women in rural Uganda largely rely on medicinal plants for inducing labor, treating postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), and inducing abortion. 90% of the women in both rural and urban Uganda use plants to manage pregnancy symptoms like constipation, heartburn, morning sickness, body aches, nausea, and vomiting. After delivery women continue using plants to manage postpartum complications and for infant care especially herbal baths. This study documented how ethnomedical folklore has been used to aid childbirth, manage postpartum hemorrhage, and induce abortion. METHODS: A cross-sectional ethnobotanical survey was conducted from May - December 2023 in Najjemebe sub-county, Buikwe district. 206 respondents from 12 villages were selected using snowball sampling. Key informants included Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) and herbalists. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires and focus group discussions. Voucher specimens of the plants were identified and authenticated at Makerere University Herbarium. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Informant Consensus factor (ICF), Use Reports (URs), paired comparisons, and GraphPad Prism® version 9.0.0 software. RESULTS: All respondents (N = 206, 100%), used plants to induce labour, treat PPH, and induce abortion. One hundred four plant species were documented: most cited or preferred were: Hoslundia opposita (N = 109, 53%), Phytolacca dodecandra (N = 72, 35%), and Commelina erecta (N = 47, 23%). The plants belonged to 49 families, Lamiaceae (16.3%) and Fabaceae (14.3%) having the majority of the species. Herbs were 42 (40%) and trees 23 (22%). Oral administration 95(72%) was the commonest, then topical 19 (14.4%) and vaginal 14(10.6%). CONCLUSION: Health surveys revealed that about 27% of deliveries in Uganda take place outside a health facility. Due to the oxytocic effects of plant species reported in this study, they play a triple role of being uterotonics, abortifacients, and treating postpartum haemmorhage. The dilemma lies in the unknown dosages and toxicity levels that could endanger both the mother's and the unborn child's lives. Due to Uganda's high rates of population growth, overall fertility, maternal mortality, and morbidity, policies, and programmes on gendered health provision need to be reevaluated. Integrating herbal medicine into health care systems appears to be a feasible solution.

Traditional healers' knowledge and infection control practices related to HIV in Bukavu City, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

BACKGROUND: Patients with HIV consult traditional healers (THs). These THs can both delay care for people living with HIV (PLHIV) and transmit HIV through poor infection control practices. The main objective of this study was to evaluate knowledge and practices of THs regarding HIV in Bukavu. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using quantitative approach was carried out among 71 THs in Bukavu City. The collected data included the following topics: personal and socio-demographic characteristics, HIV knowledge, and infection control practices. Descriptive statistics, independent-samples T-test or F-test, and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data with a p-value < 0.05. RESULTS: The THs' mean age was 49.2 ± 11.2 years, and the majority were aged 40 to < 60 years. Males constituted 88.7% of THs with a male-to-female ratio of 7.9. In general, 47.9% of study participants had poor knowledge about HIV/AIDS infection, 45.1% of them had fair knowledge, and only 7.0% had good knowledge. Overall, 43.7% of THs had poor infection control practices, 52.1% of THs had fair practices, and only 4.2% of participants had good practices. Results of multiple linear regression analysis revealed that none of the personal and demographic variables studied were significant predictors of their knowledge about HIV/AIDS (p > 0.05). In terms of practices, two variables were significant predictors of infection control practices: living in Ibanda and receiving training in taking care of HIV/AIDS. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The study revealed that THs' knowledge about HIV infection was insufficient and that they had poor infection control practices. Formal standardized training on HIV infection should be organized for all THs so that they can always refer their patients to modern, reliable antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinics and reduce the risk of occupational exposure in their practices. Although PPE's assistance for THs is required in terms of protective measures, the province health authority must also oversee infection control procedures at THs' offices.

Factors Influencing the Integration of Traditional Medicine and Mainstream Medicine in Mental Health Services in West Africa: A Systematic Review Using Narrative Synthesis.

This study explored the enablers and obstacles to the integration of traditional medicine and mainstream medicine in mental health services in West Africa. This study is a systematic review conducted in accordance with the relevant parts of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses. Keywords searches were done in databases, and other reference lists were also searched. The Rainbow model of integrated care and a thematic analysis framework were used to account for the factors influencing the integration of traditional medicine and mainstream medicine in mental health services in West Africa. A total of 12 studies met the eligibility criteria after the evaluation of 6413 articles from databases and reference lists. The themes of: policy and implementation; different conceptualisation of mental health/referrals; trust issues, and education and training, were enablers or obstacles of integration depending on how they worked to facilitate or hinder integration. There was an indication of little integration of TM and MM at the macro, meso and micro levels in mental health services in West Africa. Though the study does cover all the West African states evenly, it is recommended that policy-makers and stakeholders interested in integration should ensure integration activities, especially policies, cut across all the levels of the rainbow model of integrated care and are planned and aligned at the macro, meso and micro levels instead of using ad hoc measures, informal initiatives or placing TM services in MM mental health services, which do not amount to integration.

Experiences of traditional health practitioners in the management of female infertility in Harare urban areas: A qualitative study.

Female infertility is a health and social problem that traditional health practitioners (THPs) have been managing in African communities. This study explored the experiences of THPs in the management of female infertility, specifically focusing on their understanding, diagnosis, and treatment methods for female infertility. This was a qualitative study targeting six THPs in Harare urban areas registered with the Traditional Medical Practitioners Council (TMPC) in Zimbabwe. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines were followed in the description of the study design, analysis and presentation of findings. The findings revealed that the etiology of female infertility was attributed to biomedical, lifestyle, spiritual, and male factors. Management of infertility depended on the type of THP. Spirit mediums relied on divination and dreams to diagnose and treat female infertility. Herbalists focused on the physical evidence provided by the client through history taking. THPs had a client referral system within their TMPC network. All THPs ultimately used medicinal plants for treating female infertility. THPs play an important role in the management of female infertility. Understanding their contributions to the management of female infertility provides an opportunity to obtain insight into their practices, thus identifying areas that responsible Ministries can use to strengthen traditional health care systems and ultimately improve reproductive health care for women in African communities.

L'infertilité féminine est un problème sanitaire et social que les tradipraticiens (PTS) gèrent dans les communautés africaines. Cette étude a exploré les expériences des THP dans la gestion de l'infertilité féminine, en se concentrant spécifiquement sur leur compréhension, leur diagnostic et leurs méthodes de traitement de l'infertilité féminine. Il s'agissait d'une étude qualitative ciblant six PTH des zones urbaines de Harare enregistrés auprès du Conseil des médecins traditionnels (TMPC) au Zimbabwe. Les lignes directrices COREQ (Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research) ont été suivies dans la description de la conception de l'étude, de l'analyse et de la présentation des résultats. Les résultats ont révélé que l'étiologie de l'infertilité féminine était attribuée à des facteurs biomédicaux, liés au mode de vie, spirituels et masculins. La prise en charge de l'infertilité dépendait du type de THP. Les médiums spirituels s'appuyaient sur la divination et les rêves pour diagnostiquer et traiter l'infertilité féminine. Les herboristes se sont concentrés sur les preuves matérielles fournies par le client grâce à l'anamnèse. Les THP disposaient d'un système de référencement des clients au sein de leur réseau TMPC. Tous les THP utilisaient finalement des plantes médicinales pour traiter l'infertilité féminine. Les THP jouent un rôle important dans la gestion de l'infertilité féminine. Comprendre leurs contributions à la gestion de l'infertilité féminine offre l'opportunité d'avoir un aperçu de leurs pratiques, identifiant ainsi les domaines que les ministères responsables peuvent utiliser pour renforcer les systèmes de santé traditionnels et, à terme, améliorer les soins de santé reproductive pour les femmes des communautés africaines.

Exploring the lived experiences of women with infertility using traditional healthcare services in Harare urban, Zimbabwe.

Infertility has a significant impact on the lives of women. Therefore, affected women often consider the treatment options available to deal with their condition, including traditional healthcare services (THS). The aim of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of women with infertility problems who sought help from traditional health practitioners in Harare, Zimbabwe. Data from interviews with five women with infertility was explicated using a simplified version of Hycner (1985) five step explication process. Two major themes and eight sub themes emerged from the findings. The major themes were traditional diagnosis experiences and traditional treatment experiences. Consultation and divination were the diagnosis methods experienced by the women with infertility. The THS offered comprehensive management of infertility through couples therapy, as well as pre- and post-natal therapies, which include lifestyle counselling. The findings also showed that women with infertility commonly receive concurrent treatment, including both allopathic and traditional medicine. This presents an opportunity to explore the convergence of traditional and allopathic approaches in the management of infertility in women.

L'infertilité a un impact significatif sur la vie des femmes. Par conséquent, les femmes affectées envisagent souvent les options de traitement disponibles pour faire face à leur maladie, y compris les services de santé traditionnels (THS). Le but de cette étude phénoménologique était d'explorer les expériences vécues de femmes souffrant de problèmes d'infertilité qui ont demandé l'aide de praticiens de santé traditionnels à Harare, au Zimbabwe. Les données provenant d'entretiens avec cinq femmes infertiles ont été expliquées à l'aide d'une version simplifiée du processus d'explication en cinq étapes de Hycner (1985). Deux thèmes majeurs et huit sous-thèmes ont émergé des résultats. Les thèmes principaux étaient les expériences de diagnostic traditionnel et les expériences de traitement traditionnel. La consultation et la divination étaient les méthodes de diagnostic expérimentées par les femmes infertiles. Le THS proposait une prise en charge complète de l'infertilité grâce à une thérapie de couple, ainsi que des thérapies prénatales et postnatales, qui comprennent des conseils sur le mode de vie. Les résultats ont également montré que les femmes souffrant d'infertilité reçoivent généralement un traitement concomitant, comprenant à la fois la médecine allopathique et la médecine traditionnelle. Cela présente l'occasion d'explorer la convergence des approches traditionnelles et allopathiques dans la gestion de l'infertilité chez la femme.

Assessment of traditional healers' knowledge and utilization of pharmaceutical equipment and medical supplies in the Amhara region, North West Ethiopia.

CONTEXT: Although pharmaceutical equipment and medical supplies play a vital role in the quality of traditional medicines, they have not received much attention from stakeholders and researchers nationally and internationally. OBJECTIVE: This study assesses traditional healers' knowledge and utilization of pharmaceutical equipment and medical supplies in the Amhara region, North West Ethiopia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted on 70 traditional healers. The data were collected using an interview-based questionnaire. The collected data were checked and entered into Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25.0 for analysis. The results were presented as percentages. The association between socio-demographic characteristics and traditional healers' knowledge of pharmaceutical equipment and medical supplies was examined using Pearson's Chi-squares test. RESULTS: About 90% of traditional healers had information about pharmaceutical equipment and medical supplies, and currently 80% of them used different pharmaceutical equipment and medical supplies individually and in combination with traditional equipment. Although most traditional healers used different pharmaceutical equipment and medical supplies, only 13.3% of them used equipment and supplies a day. Only 15% of traditional healers continuously cleaned their equipment. None of the socio-demographic variables were significantly associated to the knowledge of pharmaceutical equipment and medical supplies. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Pharmaceutical equipment and medical supplies used by traditional healers was inconsistent, mainly associated with their habit of using self-prepared and home-available equipment. Moreover, the checkup status of compounding equipment was poor. As Traditional healers provide high-patient care services, emphasis should be given to improving their preparation and treatment strategies.

Traditional Eye Practices: Economics and Visual Status of Users in North Central Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Traditional medicine is a constellation of practices, approaches, knowledge, and beliefs, which encompass material-based medicines, spiritual therapies, and manual techniques applied individually or combined. AIM: This study seeks to determine the cost and visual status of traditional eye treatments users among new patients at a health facility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is part of the study titled "Traditional eye practices: A facility-based study in North Central Nigeria." It is a cross-sectional, facility-based study conducted between July 2013 and June 2014 on new patients seen in the eye unit of Church of Christ in the Nations Rehabilitation Center, Mangu. Interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used to gather information on patient demographics; cost of traditional eye medication and manipulations and visual status of new patients were recorded. RESULTS: The use of traditional eye treatment was reported by 134 (4.3%) of the 3113 new patients. Traditional operative couching of lens was more expensive than using traditional eye medications (P < 0.001). Payment modality varied, and poor visual status was significantly higher among traditional eye treatment users (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Since most respondents who had their eyes couched or used traditional eye medicine were able to pay such high price with dissatisfaction and poorer visual status, they should be able to pay for modern cataract surgery with good outcome. There is a need for health education of the general public about the deleterious effects of traditional eye treatment.

Traditional lore on the healing effects of therapeutic plants used by the local communities around Simien Mountains National Park, northwestern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Simien Mountain National Park is a world heritage site with spectacular landscapes and rich in floral diversity. Exploring the plethora of conventional wisdom regarding therapeutic flora for sustainable use and drug development is a timely endeavor. Thus, the present study was aimed at investigating therapeutic plant uses and conservation practices by the local communities dwelling in the vicinity of the Park. METHODS: Eighty randomly selected general informants and 20 purposefully selected key informants were used to collect the traditional lore from 10 purposefully selected kebeles that border the Park. Data were collected using face-to-face interviews, guided field walks, group discussions and market surveys. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the basic information collected from the informants. An independent sample t test was computed to compare the knowledge variations among different informant groups. Clustering and ranking techniques were employed to validate traditional wisdom of informants. RESULTS: Significant differences in traditional wisdom (P < 0.05) were observed only between general and key informants. Hundred thirteen therapeutic plant species belonging to 56 families were recorded. Asteraceae was the most species-rich family (10%). The majority of therapeutic species were collected from the wild (77%). Herbs and roots were the most preferred habit (47%) and plant parts (37%) for remedy preparation, respectively. Pounding was the most common preparation method (50.1%). The most frequently practiced route of administration was the oral route (48.1%). The highest Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) value (84%) was recorded for respiratory and febrile illnesses. Rumex nepalensis was the most preferred for the treatment of wounds, and Olea europaea subsp cuspidata was the first-ranked multipurpose plant. CONCLUSION: The Park is rich in therapeutic species serving as a refuge for many endemic and endangered species associated with the local community rich medicinal traditional lore. Erosion of therapeutic plants, verbal transfer of the traditional wisdom and young generation negligence in acquiring traditional lore led to the deterioration of the long tradition of using therapeutic plants for health care. Endangered multipurpose therapeutic plants like Echinops kebericho should get conservation priority. Therapeutic plants with the highest ICF and fidelity level could be candidates for drug development.

A scoping review of the use of traditional medicine for the management of ailments in West Africa.

BACKGROUND: The coexistence of traditional healing practices deeply rooted in cultural and historical contexts and the evolving landscape of modern healthcare approaches in West African societies creates a dynamic interplay between tradition and modernity in healthcare. This study aims to comprehensively map the landscape of traditional medicine use for health in West Africa. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Research questions focused on the links between traditional medicine practices and health in West Africa. The systematic literature search covered PubMed, Web of Science, and CINAHL from database inception to September 2023. A descriptive analysis was conducted highlighting the years of publication, countries of publication, study designs of plant families and plant parts used for making traditional medicines, and the diseases the traditional remedies are for. RESULTS: The search identified 3484 records, with 46 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Publications spanned from 1979 to 2023, with no observed trend in the number of publications over successive decades. Nigeria had the highest number of publications (54.3%), followed by Ghana (19.6%). The studies employed various designs, including clinical trials, ethnobotanical, ethnopharmacological, and experimental designs. Plant families frequently studied included Combretaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Rubiaceae. Traditional remedies address various health issues, highlighting their versatility, from general symptoms to specific diseases. CONCLUSION: This scoping review offers an extensive overview of traditional healing practices in West Africa. The studies highlighted in this review stress the necessity for culturally sensitive healthcare interventions. The widespread use of traditional medicine and the variety of practices underscore the importance of encouraging collaboration between traditional healers and modern healthcare professionals. This review also identifies knowledge gaps and areas needing further research, setting the stage for future exploration into West Africa's intricate healthcare landscape.

An updated inventory of medicinal and ritual plants of southern Africa.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: For the first time in two decades, a comprehensive, up-to-date overview of the medicinal and ritual plants of southern Africa is presented. This data is analysed and compared with a previous survey done in 2002. STUDY AIM: The main aim is to update the checklist of medicinal and ritual plants of southern Africa and to determine the number of new records since 2002. We also provide a high-level perspective on the selection of medicinal and ritual plant species in southern Africa, a taxonomic analysis of the new checklist as well as a chronological perspective on the citation of medicinal and ritual species before and after 2002. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The most recently published medicinal and ritual plants checklist for southern Africa was reviewed and updated. A wide range of ethnobotanical literature, including books, field guides and electronic journals, was used. All calculations were done by using formulas and functions in Microsoft Excel and R Studio. RESULTS: 4120 medicinal and ritual taxa and 3784 medicinal and ritual species have been recorded. Compared with the 2002 checklist, there are 1239 new taxa (1228 new species). A strong correlation between available taxa and selected medicinal taxa exists on order level, which corresponds with the results of an analysis done in 2008. The top 10 species-rich medicinal plant families of southern Africa are Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Apocynaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Asphodelaceae, Malvaceae, Lamiaceae, Poaceae, Rutaceae and Rubiaceae. Different patterns of plant family representation can be seen across certain cultural healing systems of southern Africa. The species popularity (number of citations) of Hypoxis hemerocallidea Fisch. & C.A.Mey. Has increased substantially after 2002. Other medicinal and ritual plant species have been consistently researched, such as Artemisia afra Jacq. ex Willd., Carpobrotus edulis (L.) L.Bolus, Aloe ferox Mill., Leonotis leonurus (L.) R.Br. and Gunnera perpensa L. CONCLUSIONS: The numerous new medicinal and ritual plant records that have been reported in the last two decades provide evidence of an incompletely documented ethnobotanical heritage that urgently requires documentation. Patterns of taxonomic diversity on family level indicate distinctive differences between cultural healing systems. Signs of the adaptability and dynamics of traditional healing systems in southern Africa can be seen in the changes in the citation of species over time.

Ethnobotanical study of traditional medicinal plants used by the local people in Habru District, North Wollo Zone, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Ethiopia is a country located in the Horn of Africa, which combines richness in plant resources and cultures of human plant use. The people of Habru District of North Wollo Zone (Amhara Region, Ethiopia) have a long history of use of plant resources for various purposes including in traditional herbal remedy preparation and use. However, the district has not been adequately studied for its ethnobotanical resources and the associated knowledge. This study focused on human medicinal plants and their traditional uses in Habru District. The objective of the study was to document and analyze the plant species used by the local communities to treat human ailments along with the associated traditional knowledge and practices. METHODOLOGY: The study was carried out in Habru District from June 2021 to December 2022. Ethnobotanical data were collected using semi-structured interviews, guided field walks, 13 focus group discussions (one at the district level and 12 at the kebele/subdistrict level) and market surveys. A total of 388 informants (250 males and 138 females) were selected from all 13 kebeles within Habru District using systematic random sampling, and 42 key informants were purposively selected. Descriptive statistics, preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, informant consensus factor and fidelity level were applied for data analysis. RESULTS: The results provide insights into the medicinal plant diversity within Habru District, where 134 plant species in 110 genera and 54 families were documented, including 2 endemics, highlighting the district's significance in biodiversity conservation and healthcare delivery. Disease prevalence analysis showed that gastrointestinal and parasitic ailments (ICF = 0.85), febrile diseases (ICF = 0.84), and culture-related conditions exhibit high informant consensus factors. Remedy preparation involves various plant parts, predominantly leaves (47.3%), followed by roots (22.1%), fruits (7.0%), and seeds (5.8%). Freshly harvested plant parts were frequently used (58.2%), while 24.7% involved both dried and fresh parts. Oral application (47.3%) and topical use (31.8%) are the major routes of remedy administration. The marketability of medicinal plants was evident, with 16.4% of the species reported as marketable, including Terminalia brownii Fresen. Myrtus communis L., Ruta chalepensis L., Olea europaea L. subsp. cuspidata (Wall. & G.Don) Cif., Allium sativum L. and Capsicum annuum L. Multipurpose plants such as Solanum somalense Franchet. (91.3% FL), Ocimum lamiifolium Hochst. ex. Benth. (88.9% FL), and Verbascum sinaiticum Benth. (85.7% FL) exhibited notable healing potentials. CONCLUSION: The current study underscores the intricate relationship between the local community and medicinal plants, emphasizing the importance of biodiversity conservation and health care and acknowledging the dynamic interplay between cultural heritage and ecosystem health. The results contribute to the development of sustainable conservation strategies, healthcare practices and the preservation of traditional knowledge, and highlight the interdependence of human societies and their natural environments. Community-based conservation initiatives with active participation of local communities are desirable for the conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plant species and their habitats. Raising public awareness about the sustainable harvesting and utilization of marketed medicinal plants (e.g., Terminalia brownii Fresen.) that are under threat is also important to ensure their availability for future generations and contribution to socioeconomic development.

Exploring patient referral practices of traditional healthcare practitioners in Soshanguve, Gauteng Province, South Africa.

Introduction: It may be necessary for healthcare professionals to refer patients to other professionals and institutions that are able to provide the care needed by patients, depending on the severity each case presents, healthcare requirements, and resources available to offer care. In healthcare generally, patient referral is standard procedure; however, in South Africa, referral patterns between allopathic and traditional healthcare practitioners are unknown, and this is a problem yet to be addressed. Objectives: The study objective was to explore patient referral practices from the perspectives of traditional healthcare practitioners of South Africa. Methods: A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive design was employed to collect data from 11 traditional healthcare practitioners who were sampled using snowball sampling. An individual semi structured interview schedule was used to collect data. Content analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: Patient referral was common practice in traditional health practices, however not reciprocal between the traditional and allopathic healthcare. Several indications for patient referral to allopathic healthcare practitioners included management of chronic conditions amongst others. Discussion: Patient referral being an important part of healthcare practices should be promoted and regulation and traditional health practices improved to promote safe referral practices and curb unsafe self-referrals by patients.

Knowledge and practices of traditional management of child malnutrition and associated pathologies in Benin.

BACKGROUND: Child malnutrition is a major public health challenge, affecting millions of children worldwide, with alarming proportions of children under five in Benin. The complexity of managing this condition is increased by its potential association with opportunistic pathologies. An interesting approach arises from the use of medicinal plants, to address child malnutrition and its associated pathologies. This study aimed to document the knowledge and practices of Beninese mothers and traditional practitioners with regard to the use of medicinal plants to treat child malnutrition and associated diseases. METHODS: A total of 844 Beninese mothers and 201 traditional healers were surveyed between March 2022 and August 2023 in the communes of Karimama, Bopa and Za-Kpota in Benin. The respondents' knowledge of child malnutrition and associated pathologies was explored. The ethnobotanical data collected from the subjects concerned the medicinal recipes used to treat child malnutrition, the medicinal plants that make them up and the methods of use. These data were analyzed using ethnobotanical indices such as the Informant Consensus Factor, the frequency of citation of medicinal recipes types and medicinal plants, and the contribution of plants to medicinal recipes. RESULTS: All respondents cited a total of 82 plant species used to treat child malnutrition and associated diseases. These plants were grouped into 37 botanical families, the most common of which were Fabaceae, Malvaceae and Annonaceae. The leaves were the most commonly used part of the plant species identified. The mothers shared 122 medicinal recipes, ranging from recipes based on a single plant to more complex compositions involving five plants. The most notable plants were Moringa oleifera Lam, Phyllanthus amarus Schumach & Thonn, Senna siamea (Lam.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby, Carica papaya L. and Ocimum gratissimum L. Traditional healers provided 52 plants in 71 recipes, with Moringa oleifera featuring prominently in both single-plant and multiplant formulations. CONCLUSION: This study made it possible to constitute a rich base of medicinal recipes used against malnutrition and associated pathologies, with the preponderant involvement of certain plant species. It is therefore necessary to deepen research on these different identified species in order to scientifically assess their potential.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used to treat human ailments in Quara district, northwestern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Ethiopia is recognized as one of the centers of origin for the diversity of many plant species, including medicinal plants. Throughout the country, a large proportion of the population relies on these therapeutic plant species for primary healthcare. While such traditional medicinal knowledge has been documented in some regions, there is a lack of information from the Quara district of northwestern Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to document the indigenous and local knowledge of the use of medicinal plants among three ethnic groups residing in the area. METHODOLOGY: An ethnobotanical study was conducted from August 2022 to October 2023 in ten kebeles of the Quara district. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, field walks, and focus group discussions with 286 informants using snowball, purposive, and random sampling techniques. Quantitative analyses included Rahman's similarity index (RSI), informant consensus factor (ICF), and direct matrix ranking (DMR). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze basic ethnobotanical data. RESULTS: A total of 128 medicinal plant species from 112 genera and 50 families were documented and used to treat 14 disease categories. There was a 28% overlap in medicinal plant knowledge among the three ethnic groups studied. Fabaceae was the most represented family with 22 species. Trees accounted for the majority of the documented plants (37.5%), and leaves were the most commonly used plant parts (23.1%). Oral administration (56.7%) of plant extracts was the primary mode of remedy preparation and use. The highest ICF value (0.93) was recorded for circulatory and blood-related disorders. The study identified nine plants and 39 therapeutic uses not previously reported in Ethiopia. The RSI showed high overlap with neighboring areas and low similarity with distant areas. Top-ranked multipurpose plants were Ziziphus spina-christi and Terminalia leiocarpa, with agricultural expansion and fuelwood collection identified as major threats. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate the rich diversity of medicinal plants and associated traditional knowledge in the Quara district. The high ethnobotanical indices warrant further phytochemical and pharmacological investigations. Integrated conservation efforts are recommended to address the challenges facing these valuable plant resources.

Ethnozoological study of medicinal animals used by the inhabitants of the Kucha District, Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: An ethnozoological study of medicinal animals in the Kucha district, Gamo zone, Southern Ethiopia, was conducted to investigate and document the use of traditional medicinal animals and the associated indigenous knowledge. Tribal people still make abundant use of animals and their parts to manage diseases in humans and even livestock. METHOD: A cross sectional study design and purposively sampling techniques were used. Data were collected from 132 respondents based on semi structured questionnaires. Focus group discussions (FGD) and Key informant interviews (KII) were conducted; Fidelity level (FL), Relative frequency of citation (RFC) and Informants' consensus factor (ICF) were used to analyze species preference and importance. RESULTS: A total of 24 medicinal animals were identified with 13 species (54.2%) being mammals of which 5 species (20.8%) dominated. They were followed by arthropods, reptiles and fishes. Seven out of the total were domestic species (29%) and 17 (70%) were wild animals. The majority of these animals, i.e. 22 (91.7%), were used to treat human ailments; whereas 2 (8.3%) were used to treat livestock ailments. The ICF values varied from 0.8 to 1.The highest FL value (98%) was linked to the cow (cattle), the lowest (1.5%) to the scorpion. The RFC value (1.0) was highest for the cow and lowest (0.02) for the scorpion. Honey, milk, and butter were the most commonly used therapeutic animal products, but regarding direct uses, fresh/raw meat dominated. Out of ten ailment categories, headaches had the lowest ICF value (0.8). All others scored at least 0.9. CONCLUSIONS: In rural areas, sick people often do not only have limited access to modern medical facilities, they actually prefer traditional treatments considering them to be more reliable and effective. It is therefore important to focus on documenting, conserving, and safeguarding the indigenous knowledge so that strategies to manage the traditional wisdom can be implemented in the future. To achieve these goals, it is important to make sure that medicinal animal species are available in sufficient numbers and neither threatened by habitat changes or overexploitation.

Integrating traditional medicine into the African healthcare system post-Traditional Medicine Global Summit: challenges and recommendations.

The World Health Organization (WHO) held the inaugural Traditional Medicine Global Summit in India in 2023 to promote the evidence-based integration of traditional medicine (TM) into the global healthcare system. This summit offers many opportunities for Africa, where most people rely on TM for health care. TM is widely accepted and affordable in the region but faces many challenges that limit its potential. This article identifies some of the most pressing challenges to incorporating TM into standard healthcare in Africa. It also proffers useful recommendations on how these issues may be addressed while identifying key stakeholders whose contributions may hamper or enhance the realization of WHO´s goals for TM in the continent.

Ethnobotany in Angola: The contribution of late 19th century christian missionaries to the knowledge of medicinal wild plants.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Angola has an extraordinary plant diversity and a great ethnobotanical potential. However, there is a general lack of information about the first botanical explorations in the country and their contribution to the knowledge of the medicinal flora. AIM OF THE STUDY: The main aim of this study was to unveil the ethnobotanical legacy of José Maria Antunes and Eugène Dekindt, priests of the first Catholic mission in Huíla (Angola) and shed light on their contribution to the knowledge of medicinal wild plants of the country, including information on the uses, plant parts used, and preparation methods documented in the late 19th century. The findings are discussed considering recent ethnobotanical studies to offer a more comprehensive understanding of the historical and traditional uses of plants in Angola over the last two centuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on the information available in manuscripts and on the study of botanical collections preserved in herbaria of Portugal and Angola, we extracted relevant information about the species used in traditional medicine by the rural population of Huíla, the health conditions treated, and the mode of preparation and application. RESULTS: Our results revealed that Antunes and Dekindt conducted the first ethnobotanical study in Huíla, and documented a large number of medicinal wild plants. From these, we report 191 medicinal species, including 25 endemic and four introduced species, belonging to 56 plant families and 146 genera. Fabaceae family presents the highest richness of medicinal plants (39 taxa), followed by Rubiaceae (13), Asteraceae (10), and Apocynaceae (9). The illnesses reported were classified into 15 different categories, with the highest number of species (49) corresponding to unspecific conditions, such as general pains, chills, and fever. Thirty-seven species were reported for respiratory diseases, 31 for musculoskeletal problems, and 30 for digestive issues. Leaves were the most used plant part for medicinal purposes (84 species). Infusion was the most frequently described preparation method (40 species), followed by maceration (24 species), and powdering (36 species). CONCLUSIONS: The legacy of Antunes and Dekindt's work improves our understanding of Angola's botanical richness and traditional uses of plant resources. Our findings highlight the presence of unique medicinal resources in Angola, especially among endemic species, which hold the potential to improve the quality of life of rural communities. Moreover, our research underscores the lack of knowledge of medicinal species, emphasizing the risk of losing valuable historical information.

Prevalence of traditional eye medicine and self-treatment in Gurage Zone, Rural Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: Traditional medicines are commonly used worldwide, especially in Africa-however, there is limited information on the prevalence and types of traditional eye medicine utilization in Ethiopia. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence, the type and nature of traditional eye medicine use and practices related to self-medication for ophthalmic diseases in a rural Ethiopian population. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in six randomly selected primary health centers in rural Gurage Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Health-seeking behavior, use of self-medication, and traditional eye medicine were assessed in the population using a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analysis were computed to determine associated factors for using self-medication and traditional eye medicine. RESULT: Of the 814 participants interviewed, 487 (59.8%) reported using traditional eye medicine, mainly for combinations of symptoms of ocular redness, irritation, and eye discharge (95.5%). Besides, 604 (74.2%) participants reported self-treatment with tetracycline 1% eye ointment. Older age, females, low income, no formal education, and lack of access to media were risks for utilizing traditional eye medicine. CONCLUSION: The use of traditional eye medicine and self-treatment are common in this population. Regulatory legislation, public awareness, and making eye care are vital activities required to monitor such practices.