Open Science Repository Anthropology

doi: 10.7392/openaccess.70081989

Local Indigenous Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices in Processing Antimalarial Herbs: An Assessment Based on WHO Requirements

John Odda [1], Paul Waako [1], Steven Kisaka [2], Samuel Okello [2], John David Kabasa [2], Celestino Obua [1]

[1] Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, [2] Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

Whereas conventional health facilities exist, majority Tororo communities in Uganda still employ herbal malaria treatment. Despite widespread herbal utilization, documentation about them or about herbalist knowledge, attitude and practices of herbal standardization is scanty. 

The purpose of this study was to document knowledge, attitude and practices of herbalists in processing antimalarial herbs and whether these conform to WHO requirements.

A survey employing structured interviews, Key Informant interviews and focus group discussions was carried out in four Tororo sub-counties (January - February, 2010). Qualitative data was analysed by thematic content analysis and quantitative data by monovariate and bivariate analyses. 

From 106 respondents, 100% were scantily  knowledgeable about WHO herbal standardization. On attitude, 100% respondents feared labelling their products. While 63.2% respondents had practiced antimalarial herbalism for over ten years, practices including plant identification, collection, preparation, packaging, labelling and storage are still below WHO standards. 

In conclusion, 45 antimalarial herbal species have been documented; knowledge, attitude and practices of herbalists in processing antimalarial herbs with their practices still below WHO requirements. 

Keywords: antimalarial, standardization, herbal, herbalist, WHO.

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APA

Odda, J., Waako, P., Kisaka, S., Okello, S., Kabasa, J. D., & Obua, C. (2013). Local Indigenous Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices in Processing Antimalarial Herbs: An Assessment Based on WHO Requirements. Open Science Repository Anthropology, Online(open-access), e70081989. doi:10.7392/openaccess.70081989

MLA

Odda, John et al. “Local Indigenous Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices in Processing Antimalarial Herbs: An Assessment Based on WHO Requirements.” Open Science Repository Anthropology Online.open-access (2013): e70081989.

Chicago

Odda, John, Paul Waako, Steven Kisaka, Samuel Okello, John David Kabasa, and Celestino Obua. “Local Indigenous Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices in Processing Antimalarial Herbs: An Assessment Based on WHO Requirements.” Open Science Repository Anthropology Online, no. open-access (July 18, 2013): e70081989. doi:10.7392/openaccess.70081989.

Harvard

Odda, J. et al., 2013. Local Indigenous Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices in Processing Antimalarial Herbs: An Assessment Based on WHO Requirements. Open Science Repository Anthropology, Online(open-access), p.e70081989.

Science

1. J. Odda et al., Local Indigenous Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices in Processing Antimalarial Herbs: An Assessment Based on WHO Requirements, Open Science Repository Anthropology Online, e70081989 (2013).

Nature

1. Odda, J. et al. Local Indigenous Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices in Processing Antimalarial Herbs: An Assessment Based on WHO Requirements. Open Science Repository Anthropology Online, e70081989 (2013).

doi

Research registered in the DOI resolution system as: 10.7392/openaccess.70081989.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

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