LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE AND USE OF HERBAL MEDICINE IN THE ADULT POPULATION OF MUSHIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF LAGOS STATE

Herbal medicine which has existed for centuries as a form of treatment became relegated to the background by the advent of modern medicine; however it is becoming increasingly popular in recent times. This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in Mushin LGA, Lagos using muiti-stage sampling technique and interviewer-administered questionnaires with results analyzed using Epi info software version 7.The findings of this study revealed a low level of knowledge (40.83%) of herbal medicine, its side effects, possible contaminants and regulations despite a high level of use (85.02%). It was also revealed that low income earners and individuals not covered by health insurance had poor knowledge when compared to higher income earners and individuals with health insurance coverage. Also, a higher proportion of those with poor knowledge used herbal medicine as opposed to those with good knowledge. It is therefore recommended that health education on herbal medicine, its uses, benefits and its side effects be given to adults using methods that focus on individuals such as health education during clinic visits, health campaign and the use of media. Interplay between conventional medicine practitioners would also ensure safe usage of medication.