THE ROLE AND PLACE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN THE STRATEGIES FOR DISEASE PREVENTION

Medicinal plants have been used in healthcare since time immemorial. Studies have been carried out globally to verify their efficacy and some of the findings have led to the production of plant-based medicines. The global market value of medicinal plant products exceeds $100 billion per annum. This paper discusses the role, contributions and usefulness of medicinal plants in tackling the diseases of public health importance, with particular emphasis on the current strategic approaches to disease prevention. A comparison is drawn between the ‘whole population’ and ‘high-risk’ strategies. The usefulness of the common-factor approach as a method of engaging other health promoters in propagating the ideals of medicinal plants is highlighted. The place of medicinal plants in preventing common diseases is further examined under the five core principles of the Primary Health Care (PHC) approach. Medicinal plants play vital roles in disease prevention and their promotion and use fit into all existing prevention strategies. However, conscious efforts need to be made to properly identify, recognise and position medicinal plants in the design and implementation of these strategies. These approaches present interesting and emerging perspectives in the field of medicinal plants. Recommendations are proposed for strategising the future role and place for medicinal plants in disease prevention

Male involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness for emergency obstetric referrals in rural Uganda

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Every pregnant woman faces risk of life-threatening obstetric complications. A birth-preparedness package promotes active preparation and assists in decision-making for healthcare seeking in case of such complications. The aim was to assess factors associated with birth preparedness and complication-readiness as well as the level of male participation in the birth plan among emergency obstetric referrals in rural Uganda.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Kabale regional hospital maternity ward among 140 women admitted as emergency obstetric referrals in antenatal, labor or the postpartum period. Data was collected on socio-demographics and birth preparedness and what roles spouses were involved in during developing the birth plan. Any woman who attended antenatal care at least 4 times, received health education on pregnancy and childbirth danger signs, saved money for emergencies, made a plan of where to deliver from and made preparations for a birth companion, was deemed as having made a birth plan. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze factors that were independently associated with having a birth plan.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean age was 26.8 ± 6.6 years, while mean age of the spouse was 32.8 ± 8.3 years. Over 100 (73.8%) women and 75 (55.2%) of their spouses had no formal education or only primary level of education respectively. On multivariable analysis, Primigravidae compared to multigravidae, OR 1.8 95%CI (1.0-3.0), education level of spouse of secondary or higher versus primary level or none, OR 3.8 95%CI (1.2-11.0), formal occupation versus informal occupation of spouse, OR 1.6 95%CI (1.1-2.5), presence of pregnancy complications OR 1.4 95%CI (1.1-2.0) and the anticipated mode of delivery of caesarean section versus vaginal delivery, OR 1.6 95%CI (1.0-2.4) were associated with having a birth plan.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Individual women, families and communities need to be empowered to contribute positively to making pregnancy safer by making a birth plan.</p

Effect Of Site Location And Collecting Period On The Chemical Composition Of Hyptis Spicigera Lam. An Insecticidal Essential Oil From North-Cameroon

Hyptis spicigera essential oils from seven localities in the North-Cameroon (Ngaoundere, Guirvidig, Kodeck, Lara, Toloum, Kaele, Tchecal-baila) were investigated by GC and GC/MS. Results showed differences within harvesting sites and between the different sites of collection but did not revealed clear tendencies in the evolution of the oil composition with regard to the sampling period. The main group of compounds in all the analyzed samples were: alpha-pinene (11.9%-42.1%), beta-pinene + sabinene (6.0%-39.8%) and beta-phellandrene + 1,8-cineole(8.8%-27.4%) except in one oil where beta-caryophyllene (23.4%) was the principal component. The insecticidal activity of H. spicigera and its principal terpenic components was evaluated against the cowpea weevil Callosobruchus maculatus F., the major cause of damages of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) in North Cameroon

Care-seeking behaviour of caregivers for common childhood illnesses in Lagos Island local government area, Nigeria

No Abstract. Nigerian Journal of Medicine Vol. 14(1) 2005: 65-7

Full length Research Article - Sub-Acute Toxicity and Biochemical Effects of extracts of Anaphe venata larvae in mice

Ataxia syndrome which is characterized by sudden onset of severe muscular tremor and gait ataxia has been shown to be associated with the consumption of the larvae of Anaphe venata in South Western part of Nigeria. In this report, the sub-acute toxicity and biochemical effects of polar and non-polar extracts of Anaphe venata larvae were investigated in mice. The sub-acute toxicity study showed an increase in the behavioural components as tremor, jerking and stretching, after the administration of the extracts for 7 days, an indication of Ataxia syndrome. Also, no significant difference in these components occurred between polar and non-polar extracts, an indication of similarity in the chemical composition and level of toxicity. There was a corresponding increase in enzymatic activities coupled with increase in weight of essential organs investigated, but not significantly different from the controls. However, the involvement of receptors and neurotransmitters, in the action of the extracts to cause ataxia syndrome require further investigation

A Comparative Study of the Nutritional Status of Under-Five Children of Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Parentage in Ile-lfe, Nigeria

No Abstrac

Full length Research Article - Sub-Acute Toxicity and Biochemical Effects of extracts of Anaphe venata larvae in mice

Ataxia syndrome which is characterized by sudden onset of severe muscular tremor and gait ataxia has been shown to be associated with the consumption of the larvae of Anaphe venata in South Western part of Nigeria. In this report, the sub-acute toxicity and biochemical effects of polar and non-polar extracts of Anaphe venata larvae were investigated in mice. The sub-acute toxicity study showed an increase in the behavioural components as tremor, jerking and stretching, after the administration of the extracts for 7 days, an indication of Ataxia syndrome. Also, no significant difference in these components occurred between polar and non-polar extracts, an indication of similarity in the chemical composition and level of toxicity. There was a corresponding increase in enzymatic activities coupled with increase in weight of essential organs investigated, but not significantly different from the controls. However, the involvement of receptors and neurotransmitters, in the action of the extracts to cause ataxia syndrome require further investigation

Incidence, determinants and perinatal outcomes of near miss maternal morbidity in Ile-Ife Nigeria: a prospective case control study

BACKGROUND: Maternal mortality ratio in Nigeria is one of the highest in the world. Near misses occur in larger numbers than maternal deaths hence they allow for a more comprehensive analysis of risk factors and determinants as well as outcomes of life-threatening complications in pregnancy. The study determined the incidence, characteristics, determinants and perinatal outcomes of near misses in a tertiary hospital in South-west Nigeria. METHODS: A prospective case control study was conducted at the maternity units of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife Nigeria between July 2006 and July 2007. Near miss cases were defined based on validated disease-specific criteria which included severe haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, prolonged obstructed labour, infection and severe anemia. Four unmatched controls of pregnant women were selected for every near miss case. Three categories of risk factors (background, proximate, clinical) which derived from a conceptual framework were examined. The perinatal outcomes were also assessed. Bi-variate logistic regressions were used for multivariate analysis of determinants and perinatal outcomes of near miss. RESULTS: The incidence of near miss was 12%. Severe haemorrhage (41.3%), hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (37.3%), prolonged obstructed labour (23%), septicaemia (18.6%) and severe anaemia (14.6%) were the direct causes of near miss. The significant risk factors with their odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were: chronic hypertension [OR=6.85; 95% CI: (1.96 – 23.93)] having experienced a phase one delay [OR=2.07; 95% CI (1.03 – 4.17)], Emergency caesarian section [OR=3.72; 95% CI: (0.93 – 14.9)], assisted vaginal delivery [OR=2.55; 95% CI: (1.34 – 4.83)]. The protective factors included antenatal care attendance at tertiary facility [OR=0.19; 95% CI: (0.09 – 0.37)], knowledge of pregnancy complications [OR=0.47; 95% CI (0.24 – 0.94)]. Stillbirth [OR=5.4; 95% CI (2.17 – 13.4)] was the most significant adverse perinatal outcomes associated with near miss event. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of near misses has evolved as a useful tool in the investigation of maternal health especially in life-threatening situations. The significant risk factors identified in this study are amenable to appropriate public health and medical interventions. Adverse perinatal outcomes are clearly attributable to near miss events. Therefore the findings should contribute to Nigeria’s effort to achieving MDG 4 and 5