Medicinal Plants Used in the Treatment and Prevention of Malaria in Cegere Sub-County, Northern Uganda

Authors

  • Godwin Anywar Makerere University
  • Charlotte I.E.A. van’t Klooster Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR) University of Amsterdam (UvA)
  • Robert Byamukama Makerere University
  • Merlin Wilcox University of Oxford
  • Patricia A Nalumansi Makerere University & International University of East Africa
  • Joop de Jong Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR) University of Amsterdam (UvA)
  • Protase Rwaburindori Makerere University herbarium
  • Bernard T. Kiremire Makerere University

Abstract

In Uganda, malaria has been ranked as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality with Apac District having one of the highest transmission rates. The objective of this study was to assess the use of medicinal plants in preventing and treating malaria and to determine the traditional concept of malaria in Cegere Sub-County, Apac. A snowball sampling method was used to work through a network of informants. Ninety respondents, including traditional healers, were interviewed using focus group discussions and questionnaires. Twenty plant species from 15 families were used for preventing and treating malaria. Most of the plants were herbs (50%), and leaves (64%) were the most frequently used parts. Schkuhria pinnata (Lam.) Kuntze ex Thell. was the most frequently cited plant for treating malaria, mentioned by 77% of the respondents. Traditionally, malaria was known as atipa and was treated ritually. Fewer medicinal plant species were used to treat malaria in Apac compared to other parts of Uganda.

Author Biographies

Godwin Anywar, Makerere University

Department of Biological Sciences, Makerere University

Assistant Lecturer

Charlotte I.E.A. van’t Klooster, Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR) University of Amsterdam (UvA)

University of Amsterdam 

Researcher

Robert Byamukama, Makerere University

Department of Chemistry

Associate Professor

Merlin Wilcox, University of Oxford

Department of Primary Health Care, Oxford University

Researcher

Patricia A Nalumansi, Makerere University & International University of East Africa

Department of Biological Sciences & Department of Science & Technology

Lecturer

Joop de Jong, Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR) University of Amsterdam (UvA)

University of Amsterdam 

Professor

Protase Rwaburindori, Makerere University herbarium

Makerere University, Department of Biological Sciences & Makerere university Herbarium

Taxonomist

Bernard T. Kiremire, Makerere University

Makerere University, Department of Chemistry

Professor

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Published

2016-01-10

How to Cite

Anywar, G., van’t Klooster, C. I., Byamukama, R., Wilcox, M., Nalumansi, P. A., de Jong, J., Rwaburindori, P., & Kiremire, B. T. (2016). Medicinal Plants Used in the Treatment and Prevention of Malaria in Cegere Sub-County, Northern Uganda. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 14, 505–516. Retrieved from https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/1167

Issue

Section

Research

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