Knowledge and practices of traditional management of child malnutrition and associated pathologies in Benin
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 5297047 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Ahamidé Carel Sosthène Vissoh, Jean Robert Klotoé (0000-0002-5470-9061), Lauris Fah, Eric Agbodjento (0000-0001-7578-6595), Hornel Koudokpon (0000-0002-2688-8795), Eskyl Togbe, Souad Saïdou, Victorien Dougnon (0000-0001-9047-7299) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 47-47 |
| Publication date | 2024-05-02 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1746-4269 • E-ISSN: 1746-4269 |
| Publisher | Springer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1186/s13002-024-00684-x |
| PMID | 38693543 |
| OpenAlex | W4396597149 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 37 |
Background Child malnutrition is a major public health challenge, affecting millions of children worldwide, with alarming proportions of children under five in Benin. The complexity of managing this condition is increased by its potential association with opportunistic pathologies. An interesting approach arises from the use of medicinal plants, to address child malnutrition and its associated pathologies. This study aimed to document the knowledge and practices of Beninese mothers and traditional practitioners with regard to the use of medicinal plants to treat child malnutrition and associated diseases. Methods A total of 844 Beninese mothers and 201 traditional healers were surveyed between March 2022 and August 2023 in the communes of Karimama, Bopa and Za-Kpota in Benin. The respondents' knowledge of child malnutrition and associated pathologies was explored. The ethnobotanical data collected from the subjects concerned the medicinal recipes used to treat child malnutrition, the medicinal plants that make them up and the methods of use. These data were analyzed using ethnobotanical indices such as the Informant Consensus Factor, the frequency of citation of medicinal recipes types and medicinal plants, and the contribution of plants to medicinal recipes. Results All respondents cited a total of 82 plant species used to treat child malnutrition and associated diseases. These plants were grouped into 37 botanical families, the most common of which were Fabaceae, Malvaceae and Annonaceae. The leaves were the most commonly used part of the plant species identified. The mothers shared 122 medicinal recipes, ranging from recipes based on a single plant to more complex compositions involving five plants. The most notable plants were Moringa oleifera Lam, Phyllanthus amarus Schumach & Thonn, Senna siamea (Lam.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby, Carica papaya L. and Ocimum gratissimum L. Traditional healers provided 52 plants in 71 recipes, with Moringa oleifera featuring prominently in both single-plant and multiplant formulations. Conclusion This study made it possible to constitute a rich base of medicinal recipes used against malnutrition and associated pathologies, with the preponderant involvement of certain plant species. It is therefore necessary to deepen research on these different identified species in order to scientifically assess their potential
Agriculture · Biology · Environmental health · Ethnobotany · Geography · Malnutrition · Medicinal plants · Traditional knowledge · Traditional medicine · African Botany and Ecology Studies · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Medicine · Moringa oleifera research and applications · Ecology
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| Citations per year | 2 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |