scholarly journals Medicinal plants used among pregnant women in a tertiary teaching hospital in Jimma, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. e046495
Author(s):  
Seid Mussa Ahmed ◽  
Johanne Sundby ◽  
Yesuf Ahmed Aragaw ◽  
Hedvig Nordeng

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate and describe the use of medicinal plants during pregnancy among women admitted in the Maternity and Gynaecology wards at Jimma University Medical Centre (JUMC) in the southwest Ethiopia.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingMaternity and Gynaecology wards at JUMC.Participants1117 hospitalised pregnant women or postpartum women.Main outcome measuresOur primary outcomes of interest were the prevalence of use, types of medicinal plants used and their utilisation among pregnant women.MethodsData were collected through structured face-to-face interviews of pregnant women or postpartum women and review of patient medical records between February and June 2017.ResultsOverall, 28.6% of the women reported use of at least one medicinal plant during the pregnancy. Twenty-seven different types of medicinal plants were used. The most commonly used medicinal plants were Linum usitatissimum L. (flaxseed—use with caution) 22.0%, Ocimum lamiifolium L. (damakessie—safety unknown) 3.6% and Carica papaya L. (papaya—use with caution) 3.1%. The most common reason for use was preparation, induction or shortening of labour. Lack of access to health facility (mainly health posts), admission to maternity ward, khat chewing and alcohol consumption were the strongest predictors of medicinal plants use during pregnancy (OR >2). Only five medicinal plants used by women had sufficient evidence to be classified as safe to use in pregnancy.ConclusionsAlmost one-third of women at the tertiary hospital in Ethiopia reported use of medicinal plants during pregnancy, most frequently to prepare, induce, reduce the intensity or shorten duration of labour. Increased awareness about potential benefits or risks of medicinal plants use during pregnancy among healthcare professionals and patients, and increased access to childbirth providing healthcare facilities are important in order to promote safer pregnancies and better health outcomes for women and their unborn children.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adwoa Pokua Boakye-Yiadom ◽  
Samuel Blay Nguah ◽  
Emmanuel Ameyaw ◽  
Anthony Enimil ◽  
Priscilla Naa Lomle Wobil ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF), breastfeeding within first hour after birth, is known to have major benefits for both the mother and newborn. EIBF rates, however, tends to vary between and within countries. This study set out to determine the prevalence of EIBF at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi, Ghana, and to evaluate the determinants of EIBF and time to initiation of breastfeeding. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at the KATH postnatal wards between August and October 2014. Three hundred and eighty-two mothers delivering at KATH were recruited and data on time to initiation of breastfeeding, antenatal, delivery and immediate postnatal periods were collected. Data analyses using both binary and ordinal logistic regressions with stepwise elimination were used to determine the relationship between EIBF and time to initiation of breastfeeding on one side, and the maternal, pregnancy, delivery and neonatal associated factors. Results EIBF was done in 39.4% (95%CI: 34.3–44.5) of the newborns with breastfeeding initiated between 1 to 6 h for 19.7%, 6 to 11 h in 4.8%, 11 to 16 h in 4.8% and after 16 h in 28.5% of the deliveries. A higher number of antenatal care visits (AOR = 1.14, 95%CI: 1.04–1.25, p = 0.006), delivery by caesarean section (AOR = 0.07, 95%CI: 0.01–0.79, p = 0.031) and infant rooming-in with mother (AOR: 31.67, 95%CI: 5.59–179.43, p <  0.001) were significantly and independently associated with EIBF. Factors independently associated with longer time to initiation of breastfeeding were older maternal age (AOR = 1.04, 95%CI: 1.00–1.09, p = 0.039), Akan ethnicity (AOR = 1.92, 95%CI: 1.14–3.22, p = 0.014), first-born child (AOR = 2.06, 95%CI: 1.18–3.58, p = 0.011), mother rooming-in with newborn (AOR = 0.01. 95%CI: 0.00–0.02, p <  0.001), increasing fifth minute APGAR score (AOR = 0.73, 95%CI: 0.58–0.93, p = 0.010) and using prelacteals (AOR = 2.42, 95%CI: 1.34–4.40, p = 0.004). Conclusions The low EIBF rate and prolonged time to initiation of breastfeeding at a major tertiary health facility is a major concern. Key interventions will need to be implemented at KATH and possibly other tertiary healthcare facilities in Ghana and beyond to improve EIBF rate and time to breastfeeding.


Author(s):  
Seid Mussa Ahmed ◽  
Johanne Sundby ◽  
Yesuf Ahmed Aragaw ◽  
Fekadu Abebe

Background: Despite the potential foetal and maternal risks of self-medication, studies on self-medication and safety profile of medicines used during pregnancy are scarce. This study determined the prevalence, predictors and safety profile of medicines used for self-medication during pregnancy at Jimma University Medical Centre (JUMC) in Ethiopia. Methods: A hospital-based cross sectional study was conducted on 1117 hospitalized pregnant women or postpartum women in the maternity and gynaecology wards at JUMC between February and June 2017. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire and by reviewing patient medical records. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Result: Nearly 3 out of 10 women reported taking at least one type of conventional medicine for self-medication, mainly analgesics 92.3%. Almost 75.0% of the self-medicated women used medicines classified as probably safe and 13.6% as potentially risky to use during pregnancy. Medicinal plant use, religion and access to a health facility near their residency were significantly associated with self-medication during pregnancy. Conclusions: Self-medication is common among pregnant women at JUMC. Most women used medicines classified as safe to use during pregnancy. There is need for enlightenment of pregnant women on the potential dangers of self-medication during pregnancy to prevent foetal and maternal risks.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fahmida Sultana ◽  
Gulshan Ara ◽  
Tania Akbar ◽  
Rayhana Sultana

Introduction: To evaluate knowledge about anemia among pregnant women visiting in OPD for antenatal care. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in tertiary hospital Dhaka, from outdoor patient department of gynecology and obstetrics, to assess the knowledge about anemia among pregnant women and also to find out the percentage and type of anemia. A total 396 pregnant women were interviewed and information were collected by pre designed data collection sheet using various parameters. Interviews conducted by direct questionnaire, blood samples were collected at same setting. Results: The mean age was 25.92±5.05, highest number 39.65% were age group 21-25 years, 28.79% were age group -30 years, 15.91% were age group 31-35 years, 11.36% were found age group <20 years. Regarding antenatal visit during pregnancy, 25.8% pregnant women visited in 1st trimester, 46.7% pregnant women visited in second trimester, and 27.5% in 3rd trimester. Also 11.11% patients had anemia in first trimester, 39.39% anemic in 2nd trimester, 14.39% pregnant women anemic in third trimester and 35.10% had normal findings. And 67% pregnant woman’s had knowledge about ANC 32% had no knowledge. Conclusion: In this cross sectional study it was found that poor knowledge about anemia and less iron intake is the main cause for anemia during pregnancy. Medicine Today 2019 Vol.31(2): 105-110


2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamzat U. Muhammad ◽  
Fatima J. Giwa ◽  
Adebola T. Olayinka ◽  
Shakir M. Balogun ◽  
IkeOluwapo Ajayi ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Katarzyna Kwiatkowska ◽  
Katarzyna Kosińska-Kaczyńska ◽  
Izabela Walasik ◽  
Agnieszka Osińska ◽  
Iwona Szymusik

Background: No specific physical activity guidelines are available for women in multiple pregnancy. Aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and experience of women regarding physical activity during their latest twin pregnancy. Methods: A cross-sectional study including women after a twin delivery was conducted in Poland. A questionnaire was distributed in 2018 via web pages and Facebook groups designed for pregnant women. Results: 652 women filled out the questionnaire completely. Only 25% of women performed any physical exercises during twin gestation. The frequency of preterm delivery was similar in physically active and non-active participants. 35% of the respondents claimed to have gained information on proper activity from obstetricians during antenatal counselling while 11% claimed to be unable to identify the reliable sources of information. 7% of women admitted to feel discriminated by social opinion on exercising during a twin pregnancy. Conclusions: The population of women with a twin gestation is not sufficiently physically active and is often discouraged from performing exercises during gestation. Therefore, it is crucial to inform obstetricians to recommend active lifestyle during a twin gestation and to provide reliable information on physical activity to pregnant women. Further research on this topic is necessary in order for obstetric providers to counsel women on appropriate exercise with a twin pregnancy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saran Tenzin Tamang ◽  
Thinley Dorji ◽  
Sonam Yoezer ◽  
Thinley Phuntsho ◽  
Phurb Dorji

Abstract Background The third Sustainable Development Goal for 2030 development agenda aims to reduce maternal and newborn deaths. Pregnant women’s understanding of danger signs is an important factor in seeking timely care during emergencies. We assessed knowledge of obstetric danger signs using both recall and understanding of appropriate action required during obstetric emergencies. Methods This was a cross-sectional study among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Bhutan’s largest hospital in Thimphu. Recall was assessed against seven obstetric danger signs outlined in the Mother and Child Health Handbook (7 points). Understanding of danger signs was tested using 13 multiple choice questions (13 points). Knowledge was scored out of 20 points and reported as ‘good’ (≥80%), ‘satisfactory’ (60–79%) and ‘poor’ (< 60%). Correlation between participant characteristics and knowledge score as well as number of danger signs recalled was tested using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Association between knowledge score and participant characteristics was tested using t-tests (and Kruskal-Wallis test) for numeric variables. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics associated with the level of knowledge ('good’ versus ‘satisfactory’ and ‘poor’ combined) were assessed with odds ratios using a log-binomial regression model. All results with p < 0.05 were considered significant. Results Four hundred and twenty-two women responded to the survey (response rate = 96.0%). Mean (±SD) knowledge score was 12 (±2.5). Twenty women (4.7%) had ‘good’ knowledge, 245 (58.1%) had ‘satisfactory’ knowledge and 157 (37.2%) had ‘poor’ knowledge. The median number of danger signs recalled was 2 (IQR 1, 3) while 68 women (20.3%) could not recall any danger signs. Most women were knowledgeable about pre-labour rupture of membranes (96.0%) while very few women were knowledgeable about spotting during pregnancy (19.9%). Both knowledge score and number of danger signs recalled had significant correlation with the period of gestation. Women with previous surgery on the reproductive tract had higher odds of having ‘good’ level of knowledge. Conclusions Most pregnant women had ‘satisfactory’ knowledge score with poor explicit recall of danger signs. However, women recognized obstetric emergencies and identified the appropriate action warranted.


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