Assessment of public opinion on the use of herbal medicine for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in accra
The use of herbal medicine for treating sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is increasing, especially in developing countries like Ghana. However, little is known about public knowledge and attitudes towards using herbs for STIs. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess awareness of STIs and co...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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World Scientific Publishing
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Traditional Medicine and Modern Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/10.1142/S2575900023500143 |
| _version_ | 1797338195254312960 |
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| author | Frank Kwasikumah Emmanuel U. Osisiogu Philip Asumang Amponsah Collins |
| author_facet | Frank Kwasikumah Emmanuel U. Osisiogu Philip Asumang Amponsah Collins |
| author_sort | Frank Kwasikumah |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The use of herbal medicine for treating sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is increasing, especially in developing countries like Ghana. However, little is known about public knowledge and attitudes towards using herbs for STIs. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess awareness of STIs and confidence in herbal medicines for treating STIs among the public in Accra, Ghana. Questionnaires were administered to 383 randomly selected respondents aged 15–49 years. Most respondents first learned about STIs in school and had good knowledge about the causes (bacteria, viruses, etc.), modes of transmission (sexual contact, mother-to-child), and body parts affected (sex organs) by STIs. However, under half of respondents had used herbs to treat STIs in the past 12 months, with over half unable to recall which specific herbs they had taken. Herbal medicine was commonly recommended by friends and family rather than healthcare professionals. Despite limited endorsement from medical practitioners, respondents expressed high confidence in herbal medicine, agreeing that herbs are effective for treating STIs and have the advantage of being low cost. Of respondents who had used herbs for STIs, two-fifths reported being cured, although a small proportion noted long treatment times, persistence of symptoms after treatment, or side effects. Statistical analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between confidence in herbal medicine and its use, but no association between knowledge of STIs and use of herbs for treatment. In summary, while respondents were knowledgeable about STIs, this knowledge did not translate into greater use of herbal medicine. However, user confidence in the effectiveness, safety, affordability, and convenience of herbs for treating STIs was high. More nationwide research is warranted to further understand public attitudes and behaviors towards herbal medicines for STIs in order to inform healthcare policies and educational strategies. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T09:26:30Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fb512b475afb4e5f871c1d6ad8b33496 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2575-9000 2575-9019 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T09:26:30Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | World Scientific Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Traditional Medicine and Modern Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-fb512b475afb4e5f871c1d6ad8b334962024-01-31T09:10:33ZengWorld Scientific PublishingTraditional Medicine and Modern Medicine2575-90002575-90192024-01-010711210.1142/S2575900023500143Assessment of public opinion on the use of herbal medicine for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in accraFrank Kwasikumah0Emmanuel U. Osisiogu1Philip Asumang2Amponsah Collins3Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Radford University College, Lagos Avenue, GhanaDepartment of Science Laboratory Technology, Dr Hilla Limann Technical University, Wa Upper West Region, GhanaDepartment of Science, Seventh-day Adventist College of Education, Agona-Ashanti, GhanaDepartment of Medical Microbiology, Accra Medical Centre, Angola Close, Ringway, Osu, Accra, GhanaThe use of herbal medicine for treating sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is increasing, especially in developing countries like Ghana. However, little is known about public knowledge and attitudes towards using herbs for STIs. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess awareness of STIs and confidence in herbal medicines for treating STIs among the public in Accra, Ghana. Questionnaires were administered to 383 randomly selected respondents aged 15–49 years. Most respondents first learned about STIs in school and had good knowledge about the causes (bacteria, viruses, etc.), modes of transmission (sexual contact, mother-to-child), and body parts affected (sex organs) by STIs. However, under half of respondents had used herbs to treat STIs in the past 12 months, with over half unable to recall which specific herbs they had taken. Herbal medicine was commonly recommended by friends and family rather than healthcare professionals. Despite limited endorsement from medical practitioners, respondents expressed high confidence in herbal medicine, agreeing that herbs are effective for treating STIs and have the advantage of being low cost. Of respondents who had used herbs for STIs, two-fifths reported being cured, although a small proportion noted long treatment times, persistence of symptoms after treatment, or side effects. Statistical analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between confidence in herbal medicine and its use, but no association between knowledge of STIs and use of herbs for treatment. In summary, while respondents were knowledgeable about STIs, this knowledge did not translate into greater use of herbal medicine. However, user confidence in the effectiveness, safety, affordability, and convenience of herbs for treating STIs was high. More nationwide research is warranted to further understand public attitudes and behaviors towards herbal medicines for STIs in order to inform healthcare policies and educational strategies.https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/10.1142/S2575900023500143Herbal medicinesexually transmitted infectionspublic knowledgetreatment seeking behaviorGhana |
| spellingShingle | Frank Kwasikumah Emmanuel U. Osisiogu Philip Asumang Amponsah Collins Assessment of public opinion on the use of herbal medicine for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in accra Traditional Medicine and Modern Medicine Herbal medicine sexually transmitted infections public knowledge treatment seeking behavior Ghana |
| title | Assessment of public opinion on the use of herbal medicine for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in accra |
| title_full | Assessment of public opinion on the use of herbal medicine for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in accra |
| title_fullStr | Assessment of public opinion on the use of herbal medicine for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in accra |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessment of public opinion on the use of herbal medicine for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in accra |
| title_short | Assessment of public opinion on the use of herbal medicine for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in accra |
| title_sort | assessment of public opinion on the use of herbal medicine for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections sti in accra |
| topic | Herbal medicine sexually transmitted infections public knowledge treatment seeking behavior Ghana |
| url | https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/10.1142/S2575900023500143 |
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