Wound healing with plants: the African perspective

A conference paper on medicinal herbs of Africa.A vast range of aspects have been covered already on wounds. These include: definitions (Ellis and Caine 1977), types, extent (Macfarlane and Thomas 1972), the socio-economic implication and the comfort, well being, ambulation as well as restoration of the function of wound sites. There is similarly a good coverage in the scientific press on wound healing including the historical (Fish and Owen Dawson 1967). medical and clinical aspects, the complications of wounds (Macfarlane and Thomas 1972), chemical substances responsible for and factors influencing wound healing (Macfarlane and Thomas 1972: Fish and Owen Dawson 1967; Elliot 1994; Schilling 1968; Douglas 1963). A brief discussion of the aspects already covered is presented here with a view to familiarizing the reader with the subject matter. Emphasis will be placed on wound healing agents (WHAs) some of which are either natural, synthetic or derived products which can be sourced from plants or plant products. A list of such plants used for wound healing in Africa including the families, active morphological parts, their specific roles (modes/mechanism of their action), isolated active chemical components responsible for wound healing activity as well as their structure-activity relationships (SAR) where known will be discussed

Comparison of determinants of utilization of community based malaria control strategies in selected communities of Osun State, Nigeria

Background: Malaria despite been preventable, has remained a major public health problem and among the top ten killer diseases in the world. Freedom from malaria is the basic right of human kind. The study assessed and compared the determinants of utilization of community based malaria control strategies.Methodology: The study was comparative cross-sectional in nature and involved comparison of selected rural and urban communities. Data was collected from 744 mother-child pairs. Multistage sampling technique was used to select the required study subjects. Simple frequencies, chi-square and multivariate analysis were carried out.Result: Only 42% and 58.7% of the respondents in the rural community and urban communities respectively had good knowledge of malaria and its control measures with an average of 50%. Utilization rates of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated nets (LLINs) and Intermittent Preventive Treatment in this study were 31.7% and 10.8% in the rural compared to 35.2% and 25.5% in the urban communities respectively. The predictors of LLIN and IPTp use in both communities were good knowledge of community based malaria control strategies, perceived susceptibility to malaria and antenatal care attendance in the last pregnancy and early gestational age at booking.Conclusion: This study revealed that gap still exist in the knowledge and utilization of community based malaria control strategies. This reiterates the need to empower communities with regular, correct and appropriate health care information, and resources to improve on their existing practices, with respect to community based malaria control strategies.Keywords: Malaria Control Strategies, Community, Utilizatio