Sociodemographic determinants and Eethnobotanical patterns of medicinal plant use in pancreatic diabetes management in rural Morocco: A mixed-methods study from Dar El Gueddari

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate the sociodemographic determinants and ethnobotanical patterns associated with medicinal plant use for diabetes management in a rural population of Dar El Gueddari, northwestern Morocco.

Methods: A mixed-methods cross-sectional design was employed using structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Multivariate Analysis to explore relationships between sociodemographic variables and ethnobotanical practices.

Results: Results showed that the study population was predominantly aged 20–60 years (62.5%), female (57.5%), illiterate (52.5%), married (47.5%), and low-income (<2000 DH; 73%), with all differences being statistically significant (p < 0.05). Ten medicinal plant species were reported for diabetes management, with Ficus carica and Camellia sinensis being the most frequently cited (14% each). Leaves (47%) and seeds (32%) were the most used plant parts, while infusion was the dominant administration method (86%). Correspondence Analysis revealed structured associations between sociodemographic profiles and phytotherapeutic practices, explaining 41.47% of total inertia.

Conclusions: The novelty of this study lies in its integrated epidemiological-ethnobotanical approach focusing on a rural Moroccan population with documented pancreatic diabetes, a condition rarely explored in traditional medicine research. These results underscore the need for targeted health education, standardized herbal usage guidelines, and integration of validated medicinal plants into community health strategies.

Keywords: Diabetes, medicinal plants, sociodemographic profiles, phytotherapeutic practices, Morocco.