Challenges facing indigenous medicinal knowledge management practices: A case of Ludewa District, Njombe, Tanzania

Indigenous medicinal knowledge management practices are taken as essential tools that facilitates effective use of traditional medicine. These practices stand as foundation for availability and development of traditional medicine around the communities. Yet, Traditional Medicine is facing with significant challenges of community acceptance and trust. This study aims to assess the challenges of Indigenous medicinal knowledge management practices in Ludewa, District, Njombe Tanzania. Specifically, the study examines challenges facing indigenous medicinal knowledge management practices in Ludewa District. The study was guided by the Probst knowledge management model. A cross-sectional research design with a concurrent mixed-method approach was used. The target population for the study comprised 29,864 Ludewa community members. However, 252 participants were studied and 8 traditional healers were interviewed. The study sample was selected using purposive, simple, and snowball sampling techniques. Collected data was coded on IBM SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistical analysis, such as mean, frequency, and percentages, was used and inferential statistics such as multiple linear regression was conducted. Findings revealed that challenges such as shortage of structured systems, secrecy, contempt for traditional healers, death of elders, and shortage of technological tools showed positive associations with the dependent variables, although, Migration among communities (β = 0.205, p < 0.001) statistically significantly predict challenges in indigenous medicinal knowledge management practices in Ludewa district, Similarly, occupation (β = -0.108, p = 0.046) had a statistically significant negative effect on indigenous medicinal knowledge management practices. Furthermore, the study emphasizes on the importance of indigenous medicinal knowledge protection, preservation, and sharing practices among communities to enhance usage of traditional medicine. The study recommends that Government should make much emphasizes on integrating traditional knowledge systems that is found from all local tribes into contemporary health services.