Health Information-Seeking Behaviours and use of Agbo herbal medicine among commercial drivers and artisans in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State

This study investigates how commercial drivers and artisans in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria, obtain health information and use Agbo herbal medication. Underpinned by the Health Belief Model (HBM) and Information-Seeking Model (ISM), the study examines how sociocultural influences, digital technologies, and regulatory frameworks impact Agbo views as well as the sources of health information. Thirty participants were purposefully chosen for in-depth interviews from four significant transportation parks using a qualitative methodology. Due to societal conventions, cultural legacy, and trust, traditional sources including market women, family, and local herbalists continue to be the main providers of health information, according to a thematic analysis of the data. Even if social media and other digital tools offer different ways to share knowledge, oral traditions and word-of-mouth approaches still take precedence. Participants questioned NAFDAC's control of Agbo, pointing out a discrepancy between official regulatory procedures and cultural standards. This highlights the necessity of regulatory approaches that incorporate sociocultural settings and community trust. The results indicate that in order to address the interaction between traditional knowledge, digital literacy, and regulatory systems, the ISM and HBM need to be extended to include cultural competency and social network analysis. Among the contributions include encouraging culturally relevant health education, developing digital literacy among drivers and artisans, updating information sharing on social media, and strengthening regulatory frameworks through community cooperation with traditional leaders and herbalists. These initiatives seek to honor the cultural relevance of Agbo herbal medicine while striking a balance between traditional customs and modern health and safety regulations.