Abstract:

Background: Coronavirus disease 19 has become a pandemic disease. Its clinical presentations resembling other types of viral pneumonia. The causative agent is confirmed to be a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) of the same lineage (but genetically distinct) from the coronavirus causing severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Objective: To assess the perception on safety and efficacy of traditional herbal treatment utilized by community in the amidst of COVID 19 (coronavirus disease 19) era in Nyamagana Municipal Council in Mwanza region.

Methodology: The study was conducted in Nyamagana Municipal in Mwanza Region of Tanzania. A mixed-method approach was applied. However, the qualitative approach was the main component, complemented by the quantitative component. The study involved a total of 160 male and female participants aged 18 years old and above.

Results: The study showed 53.10% of people perceived that traditional medicines was not safe for children and elderly in the community, have lots of toxicities and side effects and 72% had perceived efficacy on traditional medicine use during COVID 19 (coronavirus disease 19).

Conclusion: Majority of people had a bad perception on safety of traditional medicines but good perception on its effectiveness on treatment and prevention of corona virus disease 19.

Recommendation: The government should put emphasis on research of traditional medicines in different parts of Tanzania especially during this period of Corona virus disease 19 pandemic as the research involved a small area.