UTILIZATION OF MALARIA CURING HERBS AMONG ARABLE CROP FARMERS IN IKOLE EKITI LGA, EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

This study examined the utilization of malaria curing herbs amongst arable crop farmers in Ikole
Ekiti LGA, Ekiti State. It described the socioeconomic characteristics of arable crop farmers;
identified the malaria curing herbs utilized by arable crop farmers; ascertained the level of
awareness; determined the level of utilization of the herbs; and to ascertained their perception
towards the herbs. Data was collected using a structured interview schedule and was analyzed
using frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation. The Pearson Product Momentum
Correlation and Chi-square test statistics was used to test the postulated hypothesis. Findings
revealed that the mean age of the farmers was 42.25 + 17.137 years, mean household size was
4.96 ± 3.163, mean annual income was ₦300,580±393,296, mean years of experience was 17.5
± 16.245, majority (66%) were males and married (72%). Also, majority (92%) of the
respondents practice contemporary religion and this may hinder the use of traditional medicine
due to the belief that some of its aspects are diabolical in terms of sorcery and incantation. A
positive and significant association was found between utilization of malaria curing herb and
some selected socio-economic characteristics such as age (r = 0.260), sex (r = 0.084), marital
status (r = 0.976) and household size (r = 0.883). a positive and significant correlation was found
between perception of arable crop farmers and utilization (r = 0.017). In conclusion, herbal
treatments for malaria are widely used by arable crop farmers and are perceived positively by
them as effective, accessible, they have beneficial effect among others. There is also a need for
massively sensitization of the people on the dangers of the indiscriminate use of herbal remedies
and strengthen regulatory oversight on the operations of the herbal medicine practitioners by
concerned agencies.