Traditional medication use among out-patients attending the eye clinic of a secondary health facility in Owerri, South-East Nigeria

Background: Traditional medicine practice is thriving in Nigeria. Proximity, easy accessibility, cost and increasing interest in natural products of plant origin are factors that have been implicated. Inappropriate and unregulated use of traditional medications can result in hazardous effects. Lately, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been helping nations to develop policies for the regulation of traditional medicine use.Objective: This study aims at determining the pattern and prevalence of the use of traditional medication among out-patients attending the Eye Clinic of Imo State Specialist Hospital Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. The study will provide useful data for patient management and the development of national health policies on traditional medicine practice.Methodology: A prospective study using a pre-tested structured questionnaire was carried out in the Eye Clinic of Imo State Specialist Hospital Owerri during the period of study.Results: Out of 202 subjects enumerated, 168 (83.2%) comprising of 72 (82.8%) males and 96 (83.5%) females have used traditional medication. The use of traditional medication was significantly associated with age and occupation, but, not with sex and education. Malaria (44.5%) was the most common reason for the use of traditional medication followed by ocular problems (20.6%). The most common type of this medication used was vegetable matter / herb (52%). There was an 89.5% positive response to counselling among the subjects.Conclusion: The use of traditional medication was significantly associated with occupation and increasing age. Education had a positive influence on the attitude of the subjects; hence, education and regulation of traditional medication practice are recommended to curb the negative effects of inappropriate use. Medical practitioners should be aware of the prevalent use of traditional medications among patients, and the challenges they may pose in patient care.Keywords: African, education, herbs, malaria, ocular problem

Central nervous system affecting drugs and road traffic accidents among commercial motorcyclists

Background: Commercial motorcyclists are popular due to the convenience associated with their use especially in areas where taxis do not ply. The financial benefits to the operators caused a boom but indirectly resulted in a lot of carnage on our roads. These accidents (RTA) have been attributed to various causes including driving under the influence of drugs that affect the central nervous system (CNS).Objective: This study was aimed at determining the role of CNS affecting drugs in the causation of RTA among these motorcyclists and also to make recommendations based on the result.Methodology: This is a cross-sectional survey with a multi-stage random sampling used to select 615 commercial motorcyclists in Enugu metropolis. A structured questionnaire was administered after obtaining consent from the respondents. Data were analysed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 11.5 and variables were tested using the Chi square. A p-value of <0.05% was considered significant.Results: Amongst the motorcyclists 78% were using CNS affecting drugs while 57.7% had been involved in RTA. These were mostly in the 31-40 and 21-30year age groups. The use of CNS affecting drugs, as well as inexperience in riding, was significantly associated with RTA. Visual impairment was not a significant cause of RTA.Conclusion: The use of CNS affecting drugs is common among commercial motorcyclists. Majority of commercial motorcyclists involved in RTA use these drugs. The government of Nigeria through its agencies should enforce laws regulating motorcycle riding under the influence of drugs.Keywords: Brain, influence, riders, substance