Determinants of Medicinal Plants Usage for Traditional Herbal Medicine among Villagers in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was designed to access the determinants of medicinal plants for traditional herbal medicine among villagers living at the perimeter fence of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. The multistage sampling procedure was adopted for the study. A total number of four hundred and eight respondents comprising of farmers, hunters, herbalists and herb sellers were randomly selected and interviewed using copies of a well-structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Probit and Tobit regression analysis. The study showed that the average ages of farmers and hunters were 55 and 57 years while the average age of herb sellers was 43 and herbalist 63 years. Majority of the respondents pooled together were males, married with an average age of 55 years and household size of 7 members. The larger percentage of them were native of the study area, not educated, not employed, but having the monthly income between 12,000- 20,000 naira and closer to the forest by 1-9 km. The study further revealed that there was a significant relationship between the use and intensity of use of medicinal plants for traditional herbal medicine and factors that determine it. Variables such as age, religion, sex, believe in traditional herbs, forest medicinal plants used in treating any ailment in the past, nearness to the forest, the presence of healthcare medical centre, poverty status and income were significant at 1% probability level. Household size and occupation was significant at 5% level while the location was significant at 10% level of significance. The study, therefore, recommends that conservation and domestication of these valuable medicinal plants should be a priority to prevent their extinction and ensure their continues supply to people that need them.