An Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Concerning the Homologation of Enhanced Traditional Medicines among Practitioners in the Mfoundi Division of Cameroon

The use of Traditional Medicine (TM) has seen significant global growth. However, there is still a lack of understanding in areas such as regulation, legislation, and particularly homologation. The safety and effectiveness of TM have become pressing concerns for public health authorities. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to the homologation of Improved Traditional Medicine (ITM) in Cameroon, specifically focusing on the Mfoundi division. The study surveyed 70 traditional medical practitioners using self-administered questionnaires. Each practitioner was also interviewed individually. The results revealed that 61% of participants were aware of the different categories of ITM. Among these, 70% classified most ITM products under Category 2, while 23% classified them under Category 1. A significant 93% of participants identified the Ministry of Public Health as the primary authority responsible for ITM homologation. However, 51% of the respondents did not know the contents of a homologation file, while 49% had a solid understanding. Only 5% of the participants reported having submitted a homologation request. In conclusion, the study highlights the potential of traditional medicine in Cameroon while underscoring the need to enhance knowledge and practices surrounding its regulation and homologation.