Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40474213›Full record

ArticleBMC complementary medicine and therapies2025

Prevalence of herbal medicine consumption and regulatory compliance in some selected districts of the Bono region, Ghana.

George Owusu, Meshack Antwi-Adjei, Jones Ofori-Amoah, Ransford Mawuli Tuekpe, Adjei Emmanuel Mainoo, Dorothy Kodua, Anatua Abigail, Oppong Millicent

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC complementary medicine and therapies, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

George OwusuDepartment of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Sciences, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana.
Meshack Antwi-AdjeiDepartment of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana. meshack.antwiadjei@ucc.edu.gh.
Jones Ofori-AmoahDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Health and Allied Sciences, UHAS, Volta Region, Ho, Ghana.
Ransford Mawuli TuekpeDepartment of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Sciences, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana.
Adjei Emmanuel MainooDepartment of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Sciences, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana.
Dorothy KoduaDepartment of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Sciences, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana.
Anatua AbigailDepartment of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Sciences, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana.
Oppong MillicentDepartment of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Sciences, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThough herbal medicine remains a vital component of healthcare in the Bono region of Ghana, knowledge of its prevalence, factors influencing the choice of herbal remedies, and compliance with quality control standards among the herbal medicine practitioners in the region is lacking. This situation adversely affects health outcomes, regulatory standards, and public trust in herbal medicines in the region.

aimThis study aimed at assessing the prevalence of herbal medicine use, factors that dictate the choice of herbal medicine, and adherence to quality control practices in the Bono region of Ghana.

methodA cross-sectional study with 504 recruited herbal medicine consumers and 98 practitioners, selected across four districts of the Bono region, was used. Paper-pencil questionnaires were used to obtain respondents' sociodemographic data. The chi-square (χ2) test was used to assess associated factors, while logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with herbal medicine use.

resultsIt was revealed that 92.7% of the respondents had used herbal medicine within the past 24 months. Old age (P < 0.001), farming (P < 0.001), self-employment (P < 0.004), unemployment (P < 0.049), and no formal education (P < 0.044) were associated with herbal medicine usage. Of the 98 practitioners, 44.9% had active FDA licenses, and 59.2% had undergone formal training in quality control practices at recognized institutions. Of the 73 herbal products identified, 46.5% had no FDA registration certification, 42.5% had no information on unwanted effects and contraindications, and 26% had no expiry dates.

conclusionThe study highlighted a widespread use of herbal medicine and a significant regulatory compliance gap in the Bono region. As herbal medicine remains an essential remedy in this area, commitments from the government, regulatory bodies, practitioners, and the general public are required to improve regulatory adherence to safeguard public health. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Indexed as

Herbal MedicinePhytotherapyAdolescentAdultAgedCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleGhanaHumansMaleMiddle AgedSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung AdultBono regionHerbal medicinePrevalenceRegulatory compliance

Identifiers

PMID40474213
PMCPMC12142812

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.