SOURCE:

Faculty: Social Sciences
Department: Mass Communication

CONTRIBUTORS:

Kenechukwu S. Afam
Adum Allen

ABSTRACT:

The study examined health information available to users of herbal medicine and how users’ health beliefs influence their disposition to utilizing herbal drugs. The specific objectives were to determine the extent of herbal drug use in Southeast Nigeria; ascertain herb users’ exposure to health information on herbal drug use; ascertain herb users’ health beliefs about herbal drug use and determine the correlation between available health information and users’ health beliefs in influencing herbal drug use in Southeast Nigeria. The study was anchored on knowledge-gap theory and Health Belief Model. The study adopted qualitative (in-depth interview) and quantitative (survey) approaches. The study population comprised 15,830,919 persons in the five states of Southeast Nigeria (according to the projected 2006 National Census) and a sample size of 400 was drawn using Cochran formula. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the respondents. The questionnaire was the instrument for the survey while the interview schedule was used for in-depth interview. Data presentation was done using percentage Tables and Pie-Charts. The research hypotheses were tested using Chi-square statistical tool at 5% level of significance. Analysis of in-depth interview was done thematically. Findings from this study showed that users of herbal drugs in Southeast Nigeria are moderately exposed to health information on the use of herbal drugs but the main source of information is interpersonal communication. It also showed that, among the modern media of communication, only television was effectively used in disseminating information on herbal drugs. The study equally found that there were health beliefs associated with herbal drug use but there was no correlation between health belief system and use of herbal drugs. The study recommended that there should be re-awakening on the benefits of herbal drugs as alternative medicine to orthodox medicine by ensuring standardisation of all herbal products by relevant regulatory agencies. The mass media (broadcast, print and Internet) should be integrated into the mainstream of information collection and dissemination on herbal drugs. Although face-to-face interaction may be effective in rural areas, it may encourage distorted information.