This study assessed the preference of orthodox and traditional medicine in malaria treatment among community members in Enerhen, Delta-state Nigeria. A cross-sectional study design was adopted for the study to assess 375 participants selected through systematic sampling in Enerhen community. Data was collected through a semi-structured questionnaire and was analyzed for descriptive statistics, chi-square and ANOVA test at p<0.05. The mean age of respondents was 31.63 ± 9.42 years and 64.8% were females. Majority (55.5%) of the respondents preferred orthodox medicine in managing malaria infection and the choice of respondents was mostly (52.0%) influenced by the effectiveness of the medicine. There was a significant relationship between age and the choice of malaria treatment (F (2, 372) =911.41, P= 0.00). In addition, most (77.5%) of the respondents completed their last malaria medication, though for respondents who reported incomplete dosage regimen, the taste of the medicine top the reasons (41.1%) for incomplete dosage regime. The choice of malaria treatment has a significant association with compliance to dosage regimen (χ2=328.73, df =2, P=0.00). All the respondents (20.3%) who preferred combined treatment method never adhere to dosage regimen. This can increase the rate of drug resistance in the treatment of malaria. Hence, there is need for health education to address the issues with combined treatment methods and the effect of non-compliance to dosage regimen. Also, the taste and aroma of malaria medicine should be reviewed by pharmaceutical companies and traditional medicine practitioners. This will ensure compliance and reduce the incidence of malaria cases/ resistance to malaria medicine.
KEY WORDS: Orthodox medicine, Traditional medicine, Preference, Malaria treatment, Combined treatment method.
