Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used for the treatment of urinary tract infections in the Haut-Sassandra region (Central-West, Côte d'Ivoire)

Background: In Côte d'Ivoire, urinary tract infections (UTIs) pose a significant public health issue. The rising antibiotic resistance encountered in the treatment of these infections necessitates the search for alternative solutions. This study aims to inventory the medicinal plants used in the treatment of urinary tract infections in the Haut-Sassandra region. Methods: This is a prospective study where ethnobotanical information was collected using semi-structured interviews and field walks with 349 respondents from October 2022 to January 2023. The study focused on socio-demographic and botanical characteristics. Results: A total of 43 species belonging to 25 families were documented. The Fabaceae family was dominant (24%). Leaves (37%) and roots (33.8%) were the most preferred parts, as they are believed to contain more secondary metabolites. The most commonly used treatment methods were decoction (71.4%) and oral administration (67.8%). Knowledge of plants was significantly affected by age and ethnic group but not by sex, locality, or education level. Conclusions: This study cataloged 43 plants and their modes of use in treating urinary tract infections. It helps bridge the information gap on the traditional treatment of urinary tract infections in the Haut-Sassandra region. Keywords: Bacterial resistance, Fabaceae, Medicinal knowledge, Phytotherapy, prospective study, Public health