Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of People Using the Crude Extract of Andrographis paniculata (Buem. f) Nees. (Acanthaceae) on Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

Data on Traditional Medicine Practice (TMP) in population with access to modern medicine is not clear, though, it has gained huge popularity in all regions of developing countries over decades. This research was conducted to investigate the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) of people using Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees as a medical herb and the effects of the crude extracts on some microbial isolates. Quantitative-based cross-sectional survey was carried out on 100 participants around Auta-Baleifi and Bingham University communities through the use of structured questionnaires. Data collected from the participants were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The plant species leaves were collected, washed and extracted by boiling, soaking and macerating using distilled water. The crude extracts were tested for its antimicrobial activities on Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus using ciprofloxacin as the control.  From the result of the KAP analysis, majority (36%) of the participants were between 19-28 years old, followed by 29 – 38 years (32%) and only 5% were 59 years and above . 91% of the participants have good knowledge of traditional medicine, while only 9% were not aware of the practice , 32.0% of the participant claimed that the use of traditional medicine preparation had no adverse effects as compared to modern medicine,, while larger percentage (68%), do not agree that traditional medicine is safer than modern medicine., 36% of the participants claimed to have used A. paniculata, a traditional herb, for one medicinal purpose or the other, while 54% said they have never used it, but may considered using it in future,. The population in Auta-baleifi and Bingham University communities has good knowledge with high acceptability of the use of traditional medicine. Although the result of the antimicrobial showed that the crude extracts of A. paniculata had no clear zone of inhibition against the test organisms, but the plant have demonstrated effective used in traditional medicine against symptoms very similar to that of malaria.