scholarly journals Herbal medicines use and associated factors among pregnant women in Debre Tabor town, north West Ethiopia: a mixed method approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Getu Tesfaw Addis ◽  
Birhanu Demeke Workneh ◽  
Mesfin Haile Kahissay

Abstract Background Use of herbal medicines during pregnancy has been increase in many developing and developed countries. In spite of the studies done on herbal medicine, no study has addressed use of herbal medicine among pregnant women in Debre Tabor Town. Hence, the major aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of herbal medicine use and associated factors. Methods A community based explanatory sequential mixed methods was employed. The quantitative method used cross-sectional study design with a sample size of 267 women, also 12 participants in a group for focus group discussion and 6 in-depth interviews from focus group were included for a qualitative part using a purposive sampling technique. The data were coded and entered into Epidata 4.2.0.0 and analysis was done using SPSS version 25, while thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. Bivariate and multivariate logistic analyses were used to assess associations between dependent and independent variables. Results Ninety-five (36.3%) of pregnant women used herbal medicine during pregnancy. Prior use of herbal medicine (AOR: 3.138; 95% CI: 1.375, 7.162), unable to read & write (AOR: 9.316; 95% CI: 2.339, 37.101), presence of health problems (AOR: 3.263; 95% CI: 1.502, 7.090), drug availability (AOR: 9.872; 95% CI: 4.322, 22.551) and distance to the health facilities (AOR 6.153; 95% CI 2.487, 15.226) were significantly associated with use of herbal medicine. Only 5(5.3%) of herbal medicine users disclosed their herbal medicine use to their healthcare providers. Zingiber officinale, Eucalyptus globulus, Rutachalepensis, Linumusitatissimum, and Moringa stenopetala were the most commonly used herbal medicines by pregnant women. Conclusions The use of herbal medicine during pregnancy is a common practice and significantly associated with educational status, prior use of herbal medicine, presence of health problems, drug availability and distance to the health facilities. Since there was high prevalence and low disclosure rate of herbal medicine use, it should be ensured that physicians/midwives establish a good level of communication with pregnant women.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laban Muteebwa ◽  
Ali Ssetaala ◽  
Dan Muramuzi ◽  
Annet Nanvubya ◽  
Yunia Mayanja

Abstract BackgroundThere is widespread use of herbal medicines among populations in sub-Saharan Africa. However, pregnant women should be conscious about medication taken during pregnancy including herbal medicines because their safety profiles are not known and some of them might affect the mother, fetus and pregnancy outcomes. Knowledge about use and safety of herbs in pregnant women is limited. This study aimed to assess the extent of use and the factors associated with use of herbal medicine in pregnancy.MethodsA cross-sectional study involving 385 women 6 weeks post-partum and below, receiving post-natal services at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital in Western Uganda was conducted during May to August 2016. Simple random sampling was used to select participants. A structured pretested questionnaire was administered after written informed consent. Data was analyzed using logistic regression (STATA- 14).ResultsOf 385 respondents, 70.4% reported to have used herbal medicine during their most recent pregnancy. Associated factors were perception that herbal medicines are safe (aOR 9.8, 95% CI (4.2-23.0), perception that herbal medicines are important (aOR 12.4, 95% CI (5.2-29.5), staying more than 10KM from the heath facility (aOR 3.1, 95%CI (1.4-6.9), being a first time mother (aOR 2.6, 95%CI (1.1-6.2) and dissatisfaction with ANC services at health facility (aOR 2.6, 95%CI (1.1-6.3)ConclusionHerbal medicine use in pregnancy is common in the study area. Community Sensitization drives about the dangers of herbal medicine use in pregnancy is recommended. Healthcare workers should routinely screen for herbal medicine use during antenatal care visits and labor.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Josephine Nabirye ◽  
Josephine Najjemba

Abstract Background: The prevalence of herbal medicine use is on the rise across the world, especially amongst pregnant women. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of herbal medicine use among pregnant women in Zirobwe Health Center III, Luwero District in Uganda. Methodology: A cross-sectional research design was used on pregnant women aged between 18-38 years, selected using simple random sampling method and questionnaires to collect data which was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: All respondents 68(100%) used herbal medicine during pregnancy, (58.8%) used herbal medicine mostly in the first 3 months of the pregnancy, (100%) sometimes used herbal medicine concurrently with conventional medicine, (97.1%) never disclosed herbal medicine use to the physician/health care provider. The most common condition was nausea and vomiting (95.5%), induce/enhance labour (91.1%), keep the baby healthy (88.3%), abdominal/waist pain (85.2%) and to boast or maintain health (73.5%). Reasons for using herbal medicine during pregnancy were; parental/relative advice (88.3%), safe during pregnancy (85.2%), cheaper than conventional medicine (73.5%), readily available (70.5%), used when conventional medicine fails (58.8%), complementing conventional medicine (47.1%), more effective than conventional medicine (44.1%), and being part of culture to use it (26.4%). Conclusion and recommendations: The use of herbal medicines in pregnancy was high and attention should be given to education of pregnant women and the community as a whole on the potentials if any and side effects of traditional medicine use during pregnancy.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 371-377
Author(s):  
J Gini ◽  
A Amara ◽  
Sujan D Penchala ◽  
David J Back ◽  
L Else ◽  
...  

Herbal medication use amongst people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) is widespread and understudied. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of herbal medicine use amongst PLWH and possible contamination with antiretrovirals (ARVs). Countrywide collection of herbal samples sold by street vendors in Nigeria for the following indications: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immune deficiency syndrome, fever and general weakness. Samples were screened using a validated liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry method for the presence of the following ARVs: efavirenz, nevirapine, lopinavir, darunavir, ritonavir, atazanavir, emtricitabine, tenofovir and lamivudine. A survey was conducted among 742 PLWH attending four HIV clinics in Nigeria. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using IBM SPSS statistics version 22.0 (IBM Corp., 2013, Armond, NY). Of the 138 herbal medicines sampled, three (2%) contained detectable levels of tenofovir, emtricitabine and/or lamivudine. Additionally, of the 742 PLWH surveyed, 310 (41.8%) reported herbal medicine use. Among the users, 191 (61.6%) started taking herbals after commencing HIV therapy while herbal medicine use preceded ARVs treatment in 119 (38.4%) PLWH. We found herbal use to be widespread among PLWH in Nigeria, with increasing use after commencing ARV. Three herbal preparations were also found to contain detectable levels of ARVs. This is a concern and should be studied widely across the region and countries where herbal medicine use is prevalent and poorly regulated.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Limam ◽  
J Sahli ◽  
I Khalfallah ◽  
M Mellouli ◽  
M Ghardallou ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Patients use medicinal plants as the first-line treatment for many chronic and acute medical conditions. The lack of access to conventional health care, historical, cultural and economic considerations contributes to the important use of these plants. The purpose was to identify medicinal plants used by primary Health Care Centers' visitors in the region of Sousse (Tunisia) and to assess its associated factors. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among Primary health care centers' visitors of the region of Sousse (Tunisia) in 2018. We randomly selected 18 primary health centers and 50 participants were chosen from each center. Data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire, filled through a direct interview with participants which explores: socio-demographic variables and medicinal plants' use (name of plants, symptoms, methods of preparation, routes of administration, plant source, tolerance and side effects). Results 900 persons were included with a female predominance (72.4%). The median age of participants was 48 years ranging from 18 to 93. 65.2% (n = 587) of them report using medicinal plants to heal. The most common sources of information were family (90.5%), beliefs and traditions (56.4%). Fifty-three (53) plants were used to treat different disorders. The most used plants are: verbena (81.6%), rosemary (53.3%), mint (52%) and thyme (45.1%). The most reported treated symptoms were: flu and gastro-intestinal disorders. Plants utilization was associated to: lower age, female gender, marital status, high level of education and social existence of protection coverage. Conclusions Plants use should be based on well-conducted scientific results specifying the mechanism of action of plants, the therapeutic and toxic dose through researches on local plants samples and extracts. Key messages It seems essential to train health professionals on herbal therapy during their studies and practice. The further step after this picture of the herbal medicine use in the Region of Sousse, is to evaluate the safety and the efficacy of their use.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1605-1611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Yang ◽  
Yun Xie ◽  
Maojuan Guo ◽  
Mitchell H. Rosner ◽  
Hongtao Yang ◽  
...  

Chinese herbal medicine has been practiced for the prevention, treatment, and cure of diseases for thousands of years. Herbal medicine involves the use of natural compounds, which have relatively complex active ingredients with varying degrees of side effects. Some of these herbal medicines are known to cause nephrotoxicity, which can be overlooked by physicians and patients due to the belief that herbal medications are innocuous. Some of the nephrotoxic components from herbs are aristolochic acids and other plant alkaloids. In addition, anthraquinones, flavonoids, and glycosides from herbs also are known to cause kidney toxicity. The kidney manifestations of nephrotoxicity associated with herbal medicine include acute kidney injury, CKD, nephrolithiasis, rhabdomyolysis, Fanconi syndrome, and urothelial carcinoma. Several factors contribute to the nephrotoxicity of herbal medicines, including the intrinsic toxicity of herbs, incorrect processing or storage, adulteration, contamination by heavy metals, incorrect dosing, and interactions between herbal medicines and medications. The exact incidence of kidney injury due to nephrotoxic herbal medicine is not known. However, clinicians should consider herbal medicine use in patients with unexplained AKI or progressive CKD. In addition, exposure to herbal medicine containing aristolochic acid may increase risk for future uroepithelial cancers, and patients require appropriate postexposure screening.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0248331
Author(s):  
Agegnehu Bante ◽  
Abera Mersha ◽  
Zerihun Zerdo ◽  
Biresaw Wassihun ◽  
Tomas Yeheyis

IntroductionPrenatal anxiety and depression are major health problems all over the world. The negative sequela of prenatal comorbid anxiety and depression (CAD) has been suggested to be higher than that of anxiety or depression alone. CAD increases the odds of preterm birth, low birth weight, prolonged labor, operative deliveries, postpartum psychiatric disorders and long term cognitive impairment for the newborn. Despite its significant ill consequences, there is a dearth of studies in low-and middle-income countries. So far, to the best of our knowledge, no study assessed the prevalence of CAD in Ethiopia. Hence, the purpose of this study was to assess CAD and associated factors among pregnant women in Arba Minch Zuria district, Gamo zone, southern Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 676 pregnant women from January 01 to November 30, 2019. Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scales were used to assess depression and anxiety respectively. The data were collected electronically using an open data kit (ODK) collect android application and analyzed using Stata version 15.0. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were carried out to identify factors associated with CAD using binary logistic regression. Statistical significance was set at p-value < 0.05.ResultsA total of 667 women were involved. The prevalence of CAD was 10.04% [95% confidence interval (CI): 7.76, 12.33]. Being married [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 0.16, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.56], categorized in the highest wealth quintile [AOR: 2.83, 95% CI: 1.17, 6.84], having medical illness [AOR: 3.56, 95% CI: 1.68, 7.54], encountering pregnancy danger signs [AOR: 2.66, 95% CI: 1.06, 6.67], experiencing life-threatening events [AOR: 2.11, 95% CI: 1.15, 3.92] and household food insecurity [AOR: 3.51, 95% CI: 1.85, 6.64] were significantly associated with CAD.ConclusionsIn general, one in every ten women faced CAD in the study area. Nutritional interventions, early identification and treatment of pregnancy-related illness and medical ailments, prenatal mental health problems screening and interventions are imperative to minimize the risk of CAD in pregnant women.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-73
Author(s):  
Dalen G. Dafam ◽  
Adama Denou ◽  
Agnes Idoko ◽  
Nanloh S. Jimam ◽  
Victoria A. Okwori ◽  
...  

Herbal medicines have been used for disease prevention and treatment for both humans and animals worldwide. The present study was designed to determine the herbs used during pregnancy in Jos and to evaluate attitudes of pregnant women. The survey was carried out in antenatal clinics. Information was obtained from pregnant women (17-60 years) through both informal, unstructured conversations and the use of structured questionnaire. Botanical data were focused on the name and part of the herbs or plant used during pregnancy including herbs, herbal preparations and finished products having medicinal properties. In total, 300 pregnant women were enrolled for this study. The respondents were farmers (33.3 %), housewives (26.7%) and students (23.3 %). The most commonly used herbs were, garlic (16.7 %), pawpaw (13.6 %), ginger (13.0 %) and Moringa (8.0 %). Among the parts, bulb was the most used (16.7 %) followed by fruits (14 %). The most common reasons for the use were: herbal medicine is more effective than conventional medicine for some medications (20 %) and more easily accessed than conventional medicine (20 %). Most of the women were advised by family (31.3 %) and believed herbs had fewer side effects. The findings revealed their knowledge on medicinal plants. The women used one or more herbal medicine during pregnancy. Keywords: Pregnant women; Herbal medicine; Medicinal plants; Jos; Nigeria


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