The use of traditional medicine among Bayero University community, Kano

The use of traditional medicine among the educated people has not been widely studied in Nigeria because of the assumption that only uneducated and rural people use traditional medicine. The present study assessed the extent of use, efficacy, safety, affordability and potential toxicities of traditional medicine among the students, academic and non-academic staff of Bayero University, Kano. Respondents were interviewed with a well structured questionnaire. The results showed that more than two-third of the respondents had ever used traditional medicine for various health concerns. Majority of the respondents were of the opinion that traditional medicine is effective, safe, affordable and have moderate side effects. Also, most of the respondents supported the integration of orthodox and traditional systems of medicine in Nigeria. It can be concluded that the use of traditional medicine products is popular among the respondents, but there is need to evaluate the efficacy, safety and quality of most of those products.