_1694334229 20230910082349000 Rovedar Daryoushbabazadeh@gmail.com Rovedar Journal of Veterinary Physiology and Pathology J. Vet. Physiol. Pathol. 2821-0328 09 09 2023 2 3 Kétomon Pierre CHALLATON https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7251-5914 Coovi Guénolé Akouedegni https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5026-2311 Goué Géorcelin Alowanou https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8317-7850 Kadoéito Cyrille Boko Fréjus Tanguy Ablô Zinsou https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0246-7686 Amos Gilles-Christ Akakpo https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3808-5809 Abiodoun Pascal Olounladé Mawulé Sylvie Hounzangbé-Adoté Introduction: The use of traditional medicinal plants for the treatment of diseases in livestock farming is a common practice in Benin. Various ethnoveterinary studies have documented plants that livestock farmers use to treat animal diseases. However, these studies have been limited mainly to inventorying these plants, without exploring farmers’ perceptions on the use of these plants to promote the sustainable use of medicinal plants. The current study aimed to fill this gap by gathering farmers’ views on the use of traditional herbal medicines. Materials and methods: A structured survey was conducted from February to April 2023 in the southern, central, and northern regions of Benin. This survey targeted 480 goat farmers who actively engage in veterinary phytotherapy practices. Data were collected through random individual interviews with farmers. The interviews focused on the socio-cultural characteristics of the farmers, their motivations for using medicinal plants, the different forms of preparation, the plant efficacy, the difficulties encountered when using them, and prospects for improvement using open-ended, multiple-choice, and yes/no questions. Results: There were three distinct groups of goat farmers based on their opinions on the use of traditional herbal medicines and their socio-demographic characteristics. Group 1 consisted mainly of married and illiterate men. Group 2 was predominantly composed of married and educated men. Group 3 consisted mainly of married men, with a slightly higher illiteracy rate compared to Group 2. Group 1 used plants due to their easy accessibility and knowledge acquired since childhood, while groups 2 and 3 used them due to the high cost of conventional medicines and the perceived effectiveness of herbal medicine. Group 1 mainly used decoctions and powders, group 2 utilized powders, macerations, and trituration, and group 3 used raw preparations, decoctions, and macerations. All three groups agreed on the widely recognized efficacy of medicinal plants. Nevertheless, they encountered difficulties concerning conserving traditional herbal remedies and the imprecision of dosage. All three groups expressed a willingness to explore new forms of traditional herbal medicines, such as suspensions and tablets, prioritizing efficacy, availability, and affordability. Conclusion: The results indicated that all three groups of goat breeders expressed a willingness to use herbal medicines. However, they prefer suspensions and tablets of herbal medicines rather than other forms. In addition, prioritizing efficacy, availability, and affordability are notable for using herbal medicine in current study farmers. These results offer prospects for improving traditional herbal medicines. 09 09 2023 32 41 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 10.58803/jvpp.v2i3.28 https://jvpp.rovedar.com/index.php/JVPP/article/view/28 https://jvpp.rovedar.com/index.php/JVPP/article/download/28/38 https://jvpp.rovedar.com/index.php/JVPP/article/download/28/38 10.19182/remvt.36762 10.4314/ijbcs.v10i5.13 10.5455/javar.2017.d183 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07656 Degla LH, Olounlade PA, Lagnika L, Attindehou S, Amoussa AMO, Dansou CC, et al. Ethnobotanical survey on medicinal plants traditionally used for treatment of intestinal parasitosis of animals and humans in Northern Benin. J Med Plants Res. 2021; 5(10): 466-478. DOI: 10.5897/JMPR2021.7138 10.3390/j4040040 10.19044/esj.2017.v13n12p335 Azando EVB, Olounlade PA, Hounzangbe–Adote MS, Tam Ha HA, Fabre N, and Valentin A. Contrôle des parasitoses gastro-intestinales ovines par l’huile essentielle de Zantholylum zantholyloïdes (Fagara zanthoxyloïdes) [Control of ovine gastrointestinal parasitosis with Zantholylum zantholyloïdes essential oil (Fagara zanthoxyloïdes)]. Rev Med Vet. 2017; 168(10-12): 205-212. Available at: https://ut3-toulouseinp.hal.science/hal-03148830/preview/AZANDO_2017.pdf 10.1007/s11250-019-02014-w 10.1016/S0261-2194(02)00089-3 10.1080/09709274.2007.11905971 Institut national de la statistique et de l’analyse de l’économie. Principaux indicateurs sociodémographiques et économiques [Main socio-demographic and economic indicators] (RGPH-4, 2013). 2016; INSAE Benin. p. 27. Available at: https://instad.bj/images/docs/insae-statistiques/enquetes-recensements/RGPH/1.RGPH_4/Indicateurs-et-Projetcions/Principaux%20Indicateurs%20projections%20Preface%20RGPH4.pdf 10.18637/jss.v025.i01 R project. The R project for statistical computing. 2021. Available at: https://www.R-project.org/ Ouattara KE, Doga D, Orsot BAMB, and ZIrihi GN. Plantes médicinales utilisées dans le traitement des maladies microbiennes dans la région du Hambol, nord de la Côte d’Ivoire [Medicinal plants used to treat microbial diseases in the Hambol region, northern Côte d'Ivoire]. J Anim Plant Sci. 2021; 47(1): 8412-8425. Available at: https://m.elewa.org/Journals/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/6.Ouattara.pdf Hounzangbé-Adoté SM. L'élevage face à la pharmacopée en médecine vétérinaire au sud du Bénin. [Livestock farming and veterinary pharmacopoeia in southern Benin]. Bull rech agron Bénin. 2001; 33: 1-9. Available at: http://www.slire.net/download/1204/hounzangbe-adote_bra_033_2001.pdf 10.4314/ijbcs.v13i1.8 10.4314/jab.v129i1.8 Gadjimi AKM, Mamman M, Dayo GK, Abdou FS, Lawali S, and Hamani M. Aspects socioculturels et pratiques d’élevage des chèvres Rousse et Noire de Maradi au Niger [Sociocultural aspects and breeding practices of the Rousse and Noire goats of Maradi in Niger]. J Agric Vet Sci. 2020; 3(1): 23-37. DOI: 10.9790/2380-1301042337 Lebroy M. Les soins au bétail chez les Peuls: Une tradition ancestrale [Care of the livestock, an ancestral tradition among the Fulanis]. Bull soc Fr Hist méd sci Vét. 2003; 2(2): 77-83. Available at: http://www.ethnopharmacologia.org/prelude2020/pdf/biblio-vl-17-lobry.pdf Nicolas JP, Chikh K, Lebeurier N, and Meunier Q. Savoirs traditionnels et santé communautaires: La stratégie alternative de Jardins du Monde [Traditional knowledge and community health: Jardins du Monde's alternative strategy]. Jardins du Monde. 2004; p. 70-75. Available at: http://www.jardinsdumonde.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Savoirs-traditionnels-et-sant%C3%A9-communautaires-strat%C3%A9gie-alternative-de-Jardins-du-monde-Chikh-Lebeurier-Meunier-Nicolas.pdf Latoundji AF, Koko KIED, Djego SD, and Djego JG. Diversité et phytochimie des plantes médicinales utilisées dans le traitement traditionnel des maladies mentales aux nord de la République du Bénin [Diversity and phytochemistry of medicinal plants used in the traditional treatment of mental illness in the north of the Republic of Benin]. Afr Sci. 2019; 15(2): 44-56. Available at: http://www.afriquescience.net/AS/15/5.pdf 10.19044/esj.2017.v13n24p498 Zinsstag J, Schelling E, Waltner-Toews D, and Tanner M. From one medicine to one health and systemic approaches to health and 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2010.07.003 10.19182/remvt.36893