scholarly journals Understanding forgotten exposures towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3: a cross‐sectional study on herbal medicine use during pregnancy or delivery in Tanzania

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Tengia-Kessy ◽  
George Chombe Msalale

Abstract Background In most of the sub-Sahara African countries, use of herbal medications is widely practiced during pregnancy or delivery for various reasons despite uncertainties on their pharmacological profiles. Use of unregistered herbal medicines has the potential of causing adverse health effects to the mother and the newborn, thus deterring achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3, which aims to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”. One of the targets is on reduction of morbidity and mortality among mothers and newborns. This study investigated use of herbal medicines and predictors of usage during pregnancy or delivery as a forgotten exposure towards understanding some of the challenges in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3. Methods This cross-sectional quantitative study gathered information from women who delivered a live-born baby in the preceding two years. Using a two-stage-sampling technique, women attending reproductive, maternal and child health clinics in Tabora were selected and interviewed. Proportions were compared using chi-square test and Poisson regression analysis was performed to determine independent correlates of herbal medicine use. Results Of 340 recruited women, 208 [61.2 %; 95 % confidence interval: 55.4, 66.3 %] used herbal medicines during pregnancy or delivery. Major reasons for use included accelerating labour, 81 (38.9 %) and reducing labour pains, 58 (27.9 %). Women who made less than four antenatal visits had a 24 % higher adjusted prevalence ratio of using herbal medicines as compared to those who had at least four visits [adjusted prevalence ratio:1.24; 95 % confidence interval: 1.02, 1.50, p = 0.03]. Furthermore, the adjusted prevalence ratio of using herbal medicines was 35 % higher among women who were not discouraged by health care providers against their use as compared to those who were discouraged (adjusted prevalence ratio: 1.35; 95 % confidence interval: 1.13, 1.60, p = 0.01). Conclusions Use of herbal medicines during pregnancy or delivery among women in Tanzania is common. Independent predictors of herbal medicine use were number of antenatal visits and stance of maternity health care providers on their use. Comprehensive investigations on the magnitude, patterns and predictors of use of herbal medicines during pregnancy or delivery are warranted.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Tengia Kessy ◽  
George Chombe Msalale

Abstract Background: In most sub-Sahara African countries, herbal medicines are widely used during pregnancy or delivery for various motives despite their unclear pharmacology and potential toxicity. All risky exposures, including use of herbs during pregnancy or delivery should be restricted in order to facilitate achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: “ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all including reduction of morbidity and mortality among mothers and newborns”. This study assessed use of herbal medicines during pregnancy or delivery and determined factors associated with the practice in Tabora, Tanzania.Methods: This cross-sectional quantitative study gathered information from 340 women who delivered a live-born baby in the preceding two years. Using a two-stage-sampling technique, we selected and interviewed women attending reproductive, maternal and child health clinics in public health facilities in Tabora, central Tanzania. We compared proportions using chi-square test and performed a Poisson regression analysis to determine independent correlates of herbal use.Results: Of 340 recruited women, 208 (61.2 %; 95%CI: 55.4, 66.3%) used herbal medicines during pregnancy or delivery. Major reasons for use included shortening of labour duration, 81 (38.9%) and reducing labour pain, 58 (27.9%). The independent predictors of herbal use were number of antenatal visits and the stance of maternity health care providers on the use of herbs. Women who made less than four visits had 24% higher prevalence ratio of using herbal medicines as compared to those who made at least four visits (aPR:1.24; 95%CI: 1.02, 1.50, p=0.03). Furthermore, the adjusted prevalence ratio of using herbs was 35% higher among women who were not discouraged by the health care providers against using herbs versus those who were discouraged (aPR: 1.35; 95%CI: 1.13, 1.60, p=0.01). Conclusions: Use of herbal medicines during pregnancy or delivery in Tanzania is high. This calls for comprehensive investigations on the effects of using herbs during pregnancy or delivery as a step towards understanding some of the challenges in achieving SDG 3. Additionally, maternity health care providers ought to strengthen provision of health education messages during antenatal visits on the undesirable effects of using herbs.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Tengia Kessy ◽  
George Chombe Msalale

Abstract Background: In most sub-Sahara African countries, herbal medicines are widely used during pregnancy or delivery for various motives despite their unclear pharmacology and potential toxicity. All risky exposures, including use of herbs during pregnancy or delivery should be restricted in order to facilitate achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which states: “ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all including reduction of morbidity and mortality among mothers and newborns”. Thus, this study assessed use of herbal medicines during pregnancy or delivery and determined factors associated with the practice in Tabora, Tanzania.Methods: This cross-sectional quantitative study gathered information from 340 women who delivered a live-born baby in the preceding two years. Using a two-stage-sampling technique, we selected and interviewed women attending reproductive, maternal and child health clinics in public health facilities in Tabora, central Tanzania. We compared proportions using chi-square test and performed Poisson regression analysis to determine independent correlates of herbal use.Results: Of 340 recruited women, 208 [61.2 %; 95% confidence interval (CI): 55.4, 66.3%] used herbal medicines during pregnancy or delivery. Major reasons for use included shortening of labour duration, 81 (38.9%) and reducing labour pain, 58 (27.9%). The independent predictors of herbal use were number of antenatal visits and the stance of maternity health care providers on the use of herbs. Women who made less than four visits had 24% higher prevalence ratio of using herbal medicines as compared to those who made at least four visits [adjusted Prevalence Ratio (aPR):1.24; 95%CI: 1.02, 1.50, p=0.03]. Furthermore, the adjusted prevalence ratio of using herbs was 35% higher among women who were not discouraged by health care providers against using herbs versus those who were discouraged (aPR: 1.35; 95%CI: 1.13, 1.60, p=0.01). Conclusions: Use of herbal medicines during pregnancy or delivery among women in Tanzania is high. This calls for comprehensive investigations on the effects of using herbs during pregnancy or delivery as a step towards understanding some of the challenges in achieving SDG 3. Additionally, maternity health care providers ought to strengthen provision of health education messages during antenatal visits on the undesirable effects of using herbs.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Tengia Kessy ◽  
George Chombe Msalale

Abstract Background: In most sub-Sahara African countries, herbal medicines are widely used during pregnancy and labour for various motives despite their unclear pharmacology and potential toxicity. Considering the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, exposure to herbs during pregnancy should be restricted in order to safeguard the health of mothers and newborns. This study aimed to assess the proportion of mothers using herbal medicines during pregnancy and delivery and to determine factors associated with the practice.Methods: This cross-sectional quantitative study gathered information from 340 mothers who delivered a live baby in the preceding two years. Using a two-stage-sampling technique, we selected and interviewed mothers attending reproductive, maternal and child health clinics in Tabora, in central Tanzania. We compared proportions using chi-square test and performed a Poisson regression analysis to determine independent correlates of herbal use.Results: Over 60% of mothers in Tabora used herbal medicines during pregnancy and delivery. Major reasons for use were shortening of labour duration, 81 (38.9%) and reducing labour pain, 58 (27.9%). Independent factors of herbal use were distance to the nearest health facility, adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR = 1.12, 95%CI = 1.00,1.25), perception of herbs as safe, (aPR = 1.16, 95%CI = 1.05,1.29) and health care providers’ stance on the use of herbs, (aPR = 1.14, 95%CI = 1.04,1.25).Conclusions: Use of herbal medicines during pregnancy and delivery in Tanzania is high. This calls for comprehensive investigations on the effects of herbs used during pregnancy and delivery as a step towards understanding contributions of forgotten exposures en route for achieving SDG 3. Additionally, health care providers ought to include health education messages during antenatal visits on the undesirable effects of using herbs.


Author(s):  
AMAD M. AL-AZZAWI ◽  
NEHAD MEHDI ◽  
ALYAA G. AL-JUBOORI ◽  
ANAM EJAZ ◽  
HANEEN ALI ◽  
...  

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the perceptions of different healthcare professionals towards HM. Methods: The 16-item questionnaire on the belief of health care professionals in herbal medicine was designed by the interdisciplinary task force. Eligible participants were health care providers who were English-and Arabic-literate. The response rate was 78% of participants (781 of 1000) were respondents. In total, 553 out of 781 (71%) participants indicated that they had previously used herbal medicines. The remaining 228 participants did not believe in herbal medicine due to lack of scientific evidence, ineffectiveness and other reasons. Results: The findings of this study indicate that health care professionals including pharmacists believe they have a responsibility to provide information on HM to their patients. However, the current consensus among the respondents is that current HM-focused knowledge is inadequate for such an application. Conclusion: Health care professionals believe in using HM for their needs and have a responsibility to provide information on HM to their patients.


2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duska M. Franic ◽  
Konstantin Kleyman

Introduction: Half of nearly all new immigrants in the United States come from only 10 countries, including the Ukraine. Immigrants bring facets of their culture to their new country; therefore, it is important for health care providers to have an appreciation and understanding of cultural differences in regard to the use of herbal medicine. Objectives: To determine health care provider and patient preferences for herbal versus synthetic medications, health care provider didactic training in pharmacognosy and trends in herbal medication use in the Ukraine. Methods: Ten health care providers, pharmacists and physicians, were interviewed to determine their views on herbal medicine use in Ukraine using semistructured in-depth face-to-face interviews. Results: Ukrainian practitioners and patients viewed herbal medicines as safer than synthetic drugs, appropriate and preferable for use in chronic and preventative programs. Synthetic drugs were viewed as more desirable for use in the acute setting. Preference for synthetic versus herbal medication was not price driven. Conclusions: The inclusion of pharmacognosy training in the US pharmacy curricula is recommended to facilitate US health care professional’s ability to provide pharmaceutical care both to new US immigrants and to the increasing number of US citizens utilizing herbal medications.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 14-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaleab Taye Haile ◽  
Asnakew Achaw Ayele ◽  
Abebe Basazn Mekuria ◽  
Chilot Abiyu Demeke ◽  
Begashaw Melaku Gebresillassie ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-70
Author(s):  
O.U. Amaeze ◽  
O.A. Olugbake ◽  
M. Lawal

Background: Concurrent use of herbal and orthodox medicines can result in herb-drug interaction, which could remain unidentified due to the limited knowledge of health care providers on herbal medicines effects and safety.Objectives: This study aimed to assess the knowledge of medical and pharmacy students of the University of Lagos on herbal medicines and herb-drug interactions.Method: The study was a cross-sectional survey of final year pharmacy and medical undergraduate students (422) of the University of Lagos. Data was collected using a validated, previously developed, and standardized self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to evaluate the students’ demographics, knowledge of herbal medicines and herb-drug interactions, types and uses of herbal medicines, while inferential statistics was employed to assess the association between the students’ demographics and their knowledge of herb-drug interactions. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05.Results: The response rate was 97%. The students (98.0%) knew that herbs can be used as medicines; common uses of herbal medicines reported by the students include malaria (11.4%), pain (24.6%), and fever (36.2%). There was no association between the students’ demographics and their knowledge about herbal medicine. Age was significantly associated with knowledge of herb-drug interaction (P<0.05). The students (96.8%) knew that herbs can interact with conventional drugs when administered concurrently. The sources of the students’ knowledge about herbal medicine and herb-drug interaction include lectures (52.2%), literature (14%) and personal experience (13.9%).Conclusion: The students had good knowledge of herbal medicines; however, the subject of herbal medicines and their effects should be given more attention in the medical and pharmacy program curriculum, in order to enhance the students’ knowledge base of herbal medicines and interactions, and equip the future physicians and pharmacists adequately for better patient care. Keywords: Herbal medicines, Herb-drug interaction, Pharmacy students, Medical students


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Tengia Kessy ◽  
George Chombe Msalale

Abstract Background In most of sub-Sahara African countries, herbal medicines are widely used during pregnancy and labor for various motives despite their unclear pharmacology and potential toxicity. Considering the Sustainable Development Goals, exposure to herbs during pregnancy should be restricted to safeguard the health of mothers and newborns. Thus, this study aims to assess the proportion of mothers using herbal medicines during pregnancy and delivery and to determine factors associated with the practice.Methods We used an interview schedule to gather information among 340 mothers who delivered a live baby in the preceding two years. Using a two-stage-sampling technique, we selected and interviewed mothers at the health facilities. We compared proportions using chi-square test. We performed a Poisson logistic regression analysis to determine independent predictors of herbal use.Results Over 60% of mothers in Tabora municipality used herbal medicines during pregnancy and delivery. Major reasons for use were shortening of labor duration, 81 (38.9%) and reducing labor pain, 58 (27.9%). Independent predictors of herbal use were distance to the nearest health facility, adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR = 1.12, 95%CI = 1.00,1.25], perception of safety about herbs, [aPR = 1.16, 95%CI = 1.05,1.29] and health care providers stance on the use of herbs, [aPR = 1.14, 95%CI = 1.04,1.25].Conclusion Use of herbal medicine during pregnancy and delivery in Tanzania is high. Researchers should consider designing comprehensive investigations on adverse effects of herbs to the mother and the fetus. Furthermore, health care providers ought to include health education messages during antenatal visits on the undesirable effects of using herbs.


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