Traditional Herbal Medicine in the Central African Republic : Ethnobotanical Survey And Prognosis of Children Hospitalized at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire

Abstract

Bogning Mejiozem Brice Olivier, Danebera Lydie Verlaine, Filippo Pistolesi, Ghislain Franck Houndjahoue, Aymard Tresor Guenefio, Carine Judith Kiteze Nguinzanemou, Rostand Juste Koyangboi Kombaya, Iris Vanessa Gaspiet Sonny, Sebrige Pungui Baloukou and Gody Jean Chrysostome

Context: Medicinal plants are a precious heritage for mankind, and more particularly for the majority of poor communities in developing countries who depend on them for their primary health care and subsistence.

Objective: To carry out a hospital-based ethnobotanical survey among parents of children having benefited from traditional phytotherapy prior to admission to the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHUPB) in order to identify the prevalence, the nature of the product used, the proportion of prescriptions of plants presumed to be toxic, while assessing the effects on the children.

Materials And Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted at CHUPB over a 2-month period (March 1 to April 30, 2021). All children aged between 1 month and 15 years, admitted to intensive care regardless of diagnosis, with notion of exclusive traditional phytotherapy at home prior to therapeutic admission, were included. Data were analyzed using Epi-info software.

Results: Hospital frequency was 1.85% (n=50/2702) and mean age 2.2 years. The sex ratio was 1.38 and 62% of children lived in urban areas. Most parents were out of school (64%) and 80% lived in poor socio-economic conditions. The symptoms that prompted phytotherapy were anal pruritus (58%) and skin pallor (18%). The average duration of phytotherapy was 68.4 hours. It was administered by the parents in 86% of cases. The main route of administration was intra-rectal (36%). The plants used were harvested in the forest in 42% of cases. The main plants used were: Chromolaena odorata "BARABOKASSA" (22%) - Vernonia amygdalina "HONCKA" (14%) - Solanum lycopersicum "TOMATE" (12%) - Ocimum gratissimum "MATETE" (6%) - Jatropha curcas "KADA MONO" (4%) - Cassia siamea o Senna siamea "CASSIA" (2%) and Dioscorea bulbifera "KERERE" (2%). Organ failure was neurological in (62%), hepatic (48%), hematological (38%) and renal (16%) cases. Mortality rate was 26.0%.

Conclusion: Phytotherapy is frequently used in Bangui. The medicinal plants used must, like "conventional medicines", obey strict rules of cultivation, control and dispensing.

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