Medicinal Plants Used for Female Reproductive Disorders among Indigenous Communities in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria: A Quantitative Ethnogynaecological Study

Abstract

Background: Ethnogynaecological knowledge in Akwa Ibom State reflects a deeply rooted reliance on medicinal plants for women’s reproductive healthcare, yet this indigenous medical heritage remains underdocumented and increasingly vulnerable to cultural erosion. Aims: To document and quantitatively assess medicinal plants used by Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) in the management of female gynaecological conditions among the Ibibio, Annang, and Oro ethnic groups of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Study Design: Cross-sectional ethnobotanical survey. Place and Duration of Study: Nine Local Government Areas across three ethnic groups in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria: Uyo, Ibesikpo Asutan, and Etinan (Ibibio); Abak, Ikot Ekpene, and Essien Udim (Annang); Oron, Urue Offong Oruko, and Okobo (Oro); between 2022 and 2024. Methodology: Data were collected from 184 TBAs using structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. Seven gynaecological ailment categories were investigated: amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, leucorrhea, menorrhagia, abnormal pain in pregnancy, anaemia, and bleeding in pregnancy. Botanical information including plant family, vernacular names, parts used, and  mode of preparation and administration was recorded. Quantitative indices, Use Value (UV),  Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Fidelity Level (FL), and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) were computed for each species, and the Jaccard Similarity Index was used to evaluate inter-ethnic knowledge overlap. Results: A total of 103 medicinal plant species belonging to 49 botanical families were documented.     Fabaceae and Asteraceae were the most represented families (8.7% each). Leaves were the most frequently used plant part (69%), and maceration was the dominant preparation method (75.78%). Oral administration accounted for 64.9% of all routes. ICF values ranged from 0.625 (menorrhagia, Annang) to 0.880 (anaemia, Annang), indicating very high cultural consensus across all ailment categories and ethnic groups. Jaccard similarity indices (0.416–0.427) reflected moderate inter-ethnic knowledge overlap, with the highest similarity observed between the Annang and Oro groups. Eighty-one plant species recorded 100% Fidelity Level, confirming strong ailment-specific use. Culturally dominant species included Vernonia amygdalina, Lasianthera africana, Solenostemon monostachyus, Eremomastax polysperma, and Musa paradisiaca. Conclusion: The three major ethnic groups of Akwa Ibom State possess a rich, structured, and largely consensus-driven ethnogynaecological knowledge system. The high ICF and FL values across ailment categories indicate culturally validated plant use with strong therapeutic specificity. The study highlights culturally important medicinal species with strong ethnomedicinal consensus that warrant phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological investigation for possible development into evidence-based reproductive healthcare therapies.