2022, Vol. 10, Issue 1, Part C

The targeted population of this study was Artisans, Farmers, Traders, and Civil servants residents in Awka. A total of 250 questionnaires were distributed in markets, motor parks, and major streets. The questionnaires were administered in English, Igbo, and Vernacular depending on the level of understanding of the respondents. Data collected were presented in tables and were analysed by percentage. The result showed that the highest number of questionnaires sixty (60) was retrieved from Ifite and the least (44) from Okpuno village. The highest age brackets of respondents who use shea butter for the treatment of cough was obtained in Amaenyi (31-40 years old) with 41.11% respondents while the least occurred in Okpuno (71-80 years old) having 2.48%. The respondent’s source of knowledge is through friends and relatives having the highest (83.3%) while the least is through newspapers and pamphlets (13.4%). Respondents in Amansea frequently use shea butter in the treatment of cough (57. 50 %). Data collected from the respondents showed that infusions and mixtures are very efficient in the treatment of cough using shea butter. Unawareness of the efficacy of shea butter or doubtfulness may be a factor as to why respondents never used or rarely used shea butter for the treatment of cough. The indigenous knowledge of people on the application of plant species and/or plant materials for treatment of ailments should be preserved so that there will be transferred of this knowledge from one generation to another.