Perception of Herbal Medicine in Nigeria: A critical Analysis

This research work examined Public Perception of Herbal Medicine in Aboh Mbaise and Owerri Municipal LGAs of Imo state, Nigeria. The sample size was statistically determined using Fisher's proportional stratified sample method while multistage probability sampling technique was used to select 600 samples that constituted the study participants. The questionnaire, In-Depth Interview (IDI) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guides were the major instruments of data collection. Data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), while content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. This study revealed that herbal medicine is perceived as a natural form of medicine with little or no harmful side-effects among the people of Aboh Mbaise and Owerri Municipal LGAs, Imo State, Nigeria. This has generated a high level of patronage of herbal preparations in the state; factors such as the media, cultural beliefs, age, educational qualification, referrals from family and friends and cost were found to account for the mode of perception of herbal medicine prevalent in Imo State. From the findings of the study it is manifest that herbal medicines play i