Selective Cultural Approach to Public Health Practices in Nigeria

Public Health

Plants, animals, soil, water and other natural resources are important components of human life which have found their applications as cultural approach to public health practices. African traditional medicinal practice has been a major aspect of public health. In Nigeria, selective cultural approach (SCA) in public health practices involves the application and use of medicinal plants, animals, soil/water and other resources for sickness and disease management and control. Medicinal plants, their different parts and extracts such as decoction and infusion from. Aframomum melegueta, Azadirachta indica, Ocimum gratissimum, Vernonia amygdalina extracts and exudate from Dioscorea species, Manihot esculenta, Hevea spruceana, spices, including Allium species, ginger as well as fibre from plants have shown therapeutic potentials for diseases such as asthma, helminth infections, snake repellant, dysentery. Animals are also essential components of cultural approach in public health practices across Nigeria. Species such as Achantina species (giant snail), Crocodilus niloticus (crocodile), Numidia Meleagris (Guinea fowl), Oreochromis niloticus (Tilapia) and Phyton sebae (python) have also been documented for their therapeutic functions to include wound healing, prevention of polio, treatment of broken bones cold, rheumatism and skin infection. Soil, in different forms including clay and chalk has also been used for the management of pregnancy related ailments, body pain management and skin infections. With the importance of cultural practices in public health, there is need for adequate conservation of natural resources to sustain the rich biodiversity hotspot of Nigeria and also preserve the cultural heritage of traditional medicinal practice within rural communities.

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