Prevalence of herbal medicine consumption and regulatory compliance in some selected districts of the Bono region, Ghana
Abstract Background Though herbal medicine remains a vital component of healthcare in the Bono region of Ghana, knowledge of its prevalence, factors influencing the choice of herbal remedies, and compliance with quality control standards among the herbal medicine practitioners in the region is lacki...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-06-01
|
| Series: | BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-04953-4 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849470072122245120 |
|---|---|
| author | George Owusu Meshack Antwi-Adjei Jones Ofori-Amoah Ransford Mawuli Tuekpe Adjei Emmanuel Mainoo Dorothy Kodua Anatua Abigail Oppong Millicent |
| author_facet | George Owusu Meshack Antwi-Adjei Jones Ofori-Amoah Ransford Mawuli Tuekpe Adjei Emmanuel Mainoo Dorothy Kodua Anatua Abigail Oppong Millicent |
| author_sort | George Owusu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Though herbal medicine remains a vital component of healthcare in the Bono region of Ghana, knowledge of its prevalence, factors influencing the choice of herbal remedies, and compliance with quality control standards among the herbal medicine practitioners in the region is lacking. This situation adversely affects health outcomes, regulatory standards, and public trust in herbal medicines in the region. Aim: This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of herbal medicine use, factors that dictate the choice of herbal medicine, and adherence to quality control practices in the Bono region of Ghana. Method A cross-sectional study with 504 recruited herbal medicine consumers and 98 practitioners, selected across four districts of the Bono region, was used. Paper-pencil questionnaires were used to obtain respondents’ sociodemographic data. The chi-square (χ2) test was used to assess associated factors, while logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with herbal medicine use. Results It was revealed that 92.7% of the respondents had used herbal medicine within the past 24 months. Old age (P < 0.001), farming (P < 0.001), self-employment (P < 0.004), unemployment (P < 0.049), and no formal education (P < 0.044) were associated with herbal medicine usage. Of the 98 practitioners, 44.9% had active FDA licenses, and 59.2% had undergone formal training in quality control practices at recognized institutions. Of the 73 herbal products identified, 46.5% had no FDA registration certification, 42.5% had no information on unwanted effects and contraindications, and 26% had no expiry dates. Conclusion The study highlighted a widespread use of herbal medicine and a significant regulatory compliance gap in the Bono region. As herbal medicine remains an essential remedy in this area, commitments from the government, regulatory bodies, practitioners, and the general public are required to improve regulatory adherence to safeguard public health. Clinical trial number Not applicable. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4e2f1f2af54e4dc18261548364baa276 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2662-7671 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies |
| spelling | doaj-art-4e2f1f2af54e4dc18261548364baa2762025-08-20T03:25:15ZengBMCBMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies2662-76712025-06-012511910.1186/s12906-025-04953-4Prevalence of herbal medicine consumption and regulatory compliance in some selected districts of the Bono region, GhanaGeorge Owusu0Meshack Antwi-Adjei1Jones Ofori-Amoah2Ransford Mawuli Tuekpe3Adjei Emmanuel Mainoo4Dorothy Kodua5Anatua Abigail6Oppong Millicent7Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Sciences, University of Energy and Natural ResourcesDepartment of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape CoastDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Health and Allied Sciences, UHASDepartment of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Sciences, University of Energy and Natural ResourcesDepartment of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Sciences, University of Energy and Natural ResourcesDepartment of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Sciences, University of Energy and Natural ResourcesDepartment of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Sciences, University of Energy and Natural ResourcesDepartment of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Sciences, University of Energy and Natural ResourcesAbstract Background Though herbal medicine remains a vital component of healthcare in the Bono region of Ghana, knowledge of its prevalence, factors influencing the choice of herbal remedies, and compliance with quality control standards among the herbal medicine practitioners in the region is lacking. This situation adversely affects health outcomes, regulatory standards, and public trust in herbal medicines in the region. Aim: This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of herbal medicine use, factors that dictate the choice of herbal medicine, and adherence to quality control practices in the Bono region of Ghana. Method A cross-sectional study with 504 recruited herbal medicine consumers and 98 practitioners, selected across four districts of the Bono region, was used. Paper-pencil questionnaires were used to obtain respondents’ sociodemographic data. The chi-square (χ2) test was used to assess associated factors, while logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with herbal medicine use. Results It was revealed that 92.7% of the respondents had used herbal medicine within the past 24 months. Old age (P < 0.001), farming (P < 0.001), self-employment (P < 0.004), unemployment (P < 0.049), and no formal education (P < 0.044) were associated with herbal medicine usage. Of the 98 practitioners, 44.9% had active FDA licenses, and 59.2% had undergone formal training in quality control practices at recognized institutions. Of the 73 herbal products identified, 46.5% had no FDA registration certification, 42.5% had no information on unwanted effects and contraindications, and 26% had no expiry dates. Conclusion The study highlighted a widespread use of herbal medicine and a significant regulatory compliance gap in the Bono region. As herbal medicine remains an essential remedy in this area, commitments from the government, regulatory bodies, practitioners, and the general public are required to improve regulatory adherence to safeguard public health. Clinical trial number Not applicable.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-04953-4Herbal medicinePrevalenceBono regionRegulatory compliance |
| spellingShingle | George Owusu Meshack Antwi-Adjei Jones Ofori-Amoah Ransford Mawuli Tuekpe Adjei Emmanuel Mainoo Dorothy Kodua Anatua Abigail Oppong Millicent Prevalence of herbal medicine consumption and regulatory compliance in some selected districts of the Bono region, Ghana BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies Herbal medicine Prevalence Bono region Regulatory compliance |
| title | Prevalence of herbal medicine consumption and regulatory compliance in some selected districts of the Bono region, Ghana |
| title_full | Prevalence of herbal medicine consumption and regulatory compliance in some selected districts of the Bono region, Ghana |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence of herbal medicine consumption and regulatory compliance in some selected districts of the Bono region, Ghana |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence of herbal medicine consumption and regulatory compliance in some selected districts of the Bono region, Ghana |
| title_short | Prevalence of herbal medicine consumption and regulatory compliance in some selected districts of the Bono region, Ghana |
| title_sort | prevalence of herbal medicine consumption and regulatory compliance in some selected districts of the bono region ghana |
| topic | Herbal medicine Prevalence Bono region Regulatory compliance |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-04953-4 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT georgeowusu prevalenceofherbalmedicineconsumptionandregulatorycomplianceinsomeselecteddistrictsofthebonoregionghana AT meshackantwiadjei prevalenceofherbalmedicineconsumptionandregulatorycomplianceinsomeselecteddistrictsofthebonoregionghana AT jonesoforiamoah prevalenceofherbalmedicineconsumptionandregulatorycomplianceinsomeselecteddistrictsofthebonoregionghana AT ransfordmawulituekpe prevalenceofherbalmedicineconsumptionandregulatorycomplianceinsomeselecteddistrictsofthebonoregionghana AT adjeiemmanuelmainoo prevalenceofherbalmedicineconsumptionandregulatorycomplianceinsomeselecteddistrictsofthebonoregionghana AT dorothykodua prevalenceofherbalmedicineconsumptionandregulatorycomplianceinsomeselecteddistrictsofthebonoregionghana AT anatuaabigail prevalenceofherbalmedicineconsumptionandregulatorycomplianceinsomeselecteddistrictsofthebonoregionghana AT oppongmillicent prevalenceofherbalmedicineconsumptionandregulatorycomplianceinsomeselecteddistrictsofthebonoregionghana |