AKSU Journal of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development
ISSN(Online): 2736-0040 ISSN(Print): 2695-1975
ISSN(Online): 2736-0040 ISSN(Print): 2695-1975
Abstract
The study assessed the extent of adoption of traditional and orthodox methods of treating malaria among cassava farmers in Akwa Ibom State. Primary data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire and responses recorded during focus group discussion. Sample sizes of 120 cassava farmers were randomly selected for the study and responses recorded during focus group discussion. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Logit Regression model.Findings showed that 56.7% of the respondents were male while 43.3% were female.A large proportion (50.8%) of the respondents were within the age range of 31- 40 years. A total of fourteen and fifteen methods of malaria therapies were known to cassava farmers in AKS,only six (6) variables showed high adoption. These were; mixture of lemon grass + mango(bark)+lime + dogongaro + palm wine (x̄= 3.71), unripe pawpaw +unripe pineapple +lime +lemon grass + H20 (x̄ 3.33), mixture of garlic +onion +H20 (x̄= 3.22) vinegar (x̄= 3.54), grape H20 (x̄=2.87) and moringalatifolia + H20 (x̄=2.80). With the grand mean pooled data (x̄ =2.58), with regards to orthodox methods only three (3) variables were highly adopted these include lumarrthem (x̄=3.71), artesunate (x̄=3.33) and chloroquine (x̄= 3.22), hence farmers in the state were conversance of a good number of therapies for the treatment of malaria in the area. Logit regression analysis revealed that age, gender, educational attainment and years of farming experience were the major determinant of the use of TM. The study recommends enlightenment campaigns to be carried out through extension agent to sensitize farmers on the potentials and benefit of using traditional therapies to improve their health needs in order complement the high cost of orthodox medicine.