Omotayo O. Ebong

Cultural categorization of febrile illnesses in correlation with herbal remedies used for treatment in Southwestern Nigeria

The ethnographic study was conducted in two communities in Oyo State in Southwestern Nigeria. The study sites consisted of a rural and an urban local government area located in the tropical rain forest zone of Nigeria. The study was designed to obtain information on febrile illnesses and herbal remedies for treatment with the aim of identifying potential antimalarial drugs. The study revealed that fever is a general term for describing illnesses associated with elevated body temperature. The indigenous Yoruba ethnic population has categorized fever based on symptoms and causes. The present communication is the result of focus group discussion and semi-structured questionnaire administered to traditional healers, herb sellers, elders and mothers. This was on types of fevers, symptoms and causes of febrile illnesses. The investigation also included use of traditional herbs in the prevention and treatment of the illnesses in the two communities.A total of 514 respondents were interviewed. This was made up of 266 (51.8%) from Atiba local government area (LGA), an urban centre while 248 (48.2%) respondents were interviewed from Itesiwaju LGA, a rural community. The LGAs are located in Oyo State of Nigeria. The respondents proffered 12 types of febrile illnesses in a multiple response answering system in Yoruba language. The most common ones (direct translation into English) were: yellow fever (39.1%), typhoid (34.8%), ordinary (28.8%), rainy season (20.8%) and headache (10.5%) fevers, respectively. Perceived causes of each of the febrile illnesses included stress, mosquito bites, unclean water, rains and over exposure to the sun. Methods of fever prevention were mainly with the use of herbal decoctions, powdered herbs, orthodox medications and maintenance of proper hygiene. Of a total of 112 different herbal remedies used in the treatment of the febrile illnesses compiled from the study, 25 recipes are presented. Recipes consisted of 2-7 ingredients. Oral decoctions (84%), oral powders (63%), use as soaps and creams (40%) in a multiple response system, were the most prevalent routes of administration of prepared herbs used in the treatment of the fevers. Boiling in water or alcohol was the most common method used in the preparation of the remedies. The four most frequently mentioned (multiple response system) plants in the Southwest ethnobotany for fevers were Azadirachta indica (87.5%), Mangifera indica (75.0%), Morinda lucida (68.8%) and Citrus medica (68.8%).

Antimalarial treatment by health care providers in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background In Nigeria, malaria accounts for 60% of outpatient visits, 30% hospitalization, and is estimated to be responsible for about 11% of overall maternal mortality, 25% of infant mortality, and 30% of under-five mortality [1]. The disease is particularly virulent among pregnant women and the under-five years of age, due to their low levels of immunity. It impedes economic growth and keeps households in poverty. Lack of access to diagnostic testing before treatment is one of the weaknesses in the management of malaria in Nigeria [2]. This study examines the treatment practice for malaria among health care providers (HCPs) in Port Harcourt.

Is this Evidence of Success in Malaria Prevention and Control Measures

In Nigeria, mass distribution of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLINs), community awareness programs, increased availability of Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) and Biolarviciding have been part of strategies employed, with the aim of contributing to the realization of the sixth Millennium Development Goal Combating Malaria. This study investigates malaria prevalence among adult subjects presenting for routine medical examination at the Lulu Briggs Health Centre, University of Port Harcourt. Blood samples of 354 willing subjects were tested for parasitemia using double microscopy and standard Rapid Diagnostic (RDT) Test Kits. Axillary temperature, genotype, blood group and packed cell volume of the subjects were also determined. Questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding their demographics, previous use of antimalarials, and malaria prevention strategies they have adopted. The results obtained on the prevalence of malaria were as follows; RDT, 7.4%, double microscopy 11.0%. Among the parasite-positive samples, 32 (82.1%) were of AA, 6 (15.4%) AS, and 1 (2.5%) SS genotype, while on the other hand, 23 (59%) were of O + , 10 (25%) of A + , 3 (8%) of AB + , and 3(8%) of the B + blood groups. The decline in malaria prevalence rate when compared to other studies, suggests that malaria control measures are having a degree of success and that individuals are making conscious effort to reduce mosquito bites. Also, the study reaffirms that microscopy still remains the gold standard in malaria diagnosis, even though RDTs are invaluable when immediate result is desired and where a laboratory is not in sight.

ACETONE EXTRACT OF CRINUM JAGUS BULBS (LILLIACEAE): AN ACUTE AND SUB CHRONIC TOXICOLOGICAL EVALUATION IN ALBINO RATS

The bulbs of Crinum jagus bulbs are used in the treatment of various ailments in traditional medicine. This study was aimed at evaluating the toxicity of acetone extracts of Crinum jagus bulbs on albino rats following acute and sub-chronic exposure on haematological and biochemical parameters. The LD50 of this plant was estimated to be more than 5000 mg/kg. Phytochemical screening of the bulbs extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, alkaloids, carbohydrates, reducing sugars and saponins. In the repeated dose 28 days oral toxicity study, administration of 250 and 500 mg/kg of body weight of extracts revealed increase in body weights. The extract produced a significant (P 0.05) changes in alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, conjugated bilirubin, total protein and haematological parameters of the treated groups compared with control were observed. The plant extract is however, not safe for long term use.