Use of Herbal Medicines for the Treatment of Mild Mental Disorders and/or Symptoms During Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Little is known about the treatment of mild mental disorders and/or symptoms (MDS) during pregnancy. Our main purpose was to compare the use of herbal medicines during pregnancy in women with and without MDS. A questionnaire consisting of 21 multiple-choice questions was distributed in the participating obstetrics clinics or birth centers in the Canton of Zurich, in Switzerland, from August 2018 to March 2019; 398 questionnaires were considered in the analysis. The use of any type of herbal medicines–including pharmaceutical herbal products as well as teas–during pregnancy was reported by 358 women (out of 398, 89.9%). Of these, 272 participants used pharmaceutical herbal products, whereby ginger (49.2%), raspberry leaf (42.7%), bryophyllum (37.8%), chamomile (27.2%), lavender (22%) and iron-rich herbs (12.3%) were the ones most commonly mentioned. More than half (207/398, 52.0%) of all participants reported suffering from MDS during pregnancy; only a few took (synthetic) psychoactive medications (5/398, 1.3%). The percentage of use of pharmaceutical herbal medicines was higher among women reporting MDS than among the remaining women (90.0 vs 75.9%; p < 0.001). At the same time, the prevalence of MDS was higher among users of pharmaceutical herbal products than among non-users (59.6 vs 34.0%; p = 0.001). Specific questions on candidate herbal medicines for the treatment of mild MDS revealed that bryophyllum (mentioned by 107 women), lavender (56 women) and valerian (20 women) were used to reduce stress, restlessness, sleep disorders and others, in part with perceived good to very good effectiveness and tolerability. The large majority of the pregnant women participating in the survey make use of herbal medicines. The particularly high prevalence of MDS among herbal medicine-users and the very rare use of synthetic psychoactive medications suggest that pregnant women rely on herbal medicines for treatment of mild MDS. The reported good effectiveness and tolerability of a few candidate herbal medicines deserve particular attention.

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High Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Pregnant Women: A National Cross-Sectional Survey

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0043868 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 7 (8) ◽

pp. e43868 ◽

Cited By ~ 78

Author(s):

Stefanie Vandevijvere ◽

Sihame Amsalkhir ◽

Herman Van Oyen ◽

Rodrigo Moreno-Reyes

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Vitamin D Deficiency ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

High Prevalence

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Comparison of blood folate levels among pregnant Chinese women in areas with high and low prevalence of neural tube defects

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980007246786 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 762-768 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Aiguo Ren ◽

Le Zhang ◽

Ling Hao ◽

Zhiwen Li ◽

Yihua Tian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Neural Tube ◽

Neural Tube Defects ◽

Rural Women ◽

Urban Women ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Plasma Folate ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Low Prevalence

AbstractObjectiveTo characterise plasma and red-blood-cell (RBC) folate status among pregnant women in an area with an extremely high prevalence of neural tube defects, and to compare them with those of women from a low prevalence area.DesignA cross-sectional survey conducted in 2003.SettingOne county and one city from each of the high prevalence area and the low prevalence area in China.SubjectsFive hundred and sixty-two women in their first trimester of pregnancy in the high prevalence area and 695 pregnant women in the low prevalence area.ResultsWomen in the high prevalence area had less than half the plasma and RBC folate concentrations (12.2 and 440.0 nmol l− 1, respectively) of women in the low prevalence area (33.5 and 910.4 nmol l− 1, respectively). In the high prevalence area, 40% of rural women were deficient in RBC folate and 50% were deficient in plasma folate; 20% of urban women were deficient in RBC folate and 30% deficient in plasma folate. In contrast, only 4% (RBC folate) and 6% (plasma folate) of rural women, and 2% (RBC folate) and 1% (plasma folate) of urban women, were folate-deficient in the low prevalence area. Less than 10% of rural and about 26% of urban women in the high prevalence area took folic acid periconceptionally, compared with 70% and 60% of women in the low prevalence area.ConclusionsBlood folate deficiency is highly prevalent among pregnant women in an area of China with a very high prevalence of neural tube defects.

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The PROMISES study: a mixed methods approach to explore the acceptability of salivary progesterone testing for preterm birth risk among pregnant women and trained frontline healthcare workers in rural India

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040268 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. e040268

Author(s):

Danielle Ashworth ◽

Pankhuri Sharma ◽

Sergio A Silverio ◽

Simi Khan ◽

Nishtha Kathuria ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mixed Methods ◽

Preterm Birth ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Barriers And Facilitators ◽

Rural India ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Framework Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Thematic Framework

IntroductionIndia has an overall neonatal mortality rate of 28/1000 live births, with higher rates in rural India. Approximately 3.5 million pregnancies in India are affected by preterm birth (PTB) annually and contribute to approximately a quarter of PTBs globally. Embedded within the PROMISES study (which aims to validate a low-cost salivary progesterone test for early detection of PTB risk), we present a mixed methods explanatory sequential feasibility substudy of the salivary progesterone test.MethodsA pretraining and post-training questionnaire to assess Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) (n=201) knowledge and experience of PTB and salivary progesterone sampling was analysed using the McNemar test. Descriptive statistics for a cross-sectional survey of pregnant women (n=400) are presented in which the acceptability of this test for pregnant women is assessed. Structured interviews were undertaken with ASHAs (n=10) and pregnant women (n=9), and were analysed using thematic framework analysis to explore the barriers and facilitators influencing the use of this test in rural India.ResultsBefore training, ASHAs’ knowledge of PTB (including risk factors, causes, postnatal support and testing) was very limited. After the training programme, there was a significant improvement in the ASHAs’ knowledge of PTB. All 400 women reported the salivary test was acceptable with the majority finding it easy but not quick or better than drawing blood. For the qualitative aspects of the study, analysis of interview data with ASHAs and women, our thematic framework comprised of three main areas: implementation of intervention; networks of influence and access to healthcare. Qualitative data were stratified and presented as barriers and facilitators.ConclusionThis study suggests support for ongoing investigations validating PTB testing using salivary progesterone in rural settings.

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31. Influenza Vaccination During Pregnancy: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Survey of the Knowledge, Beliefs, and Attitudes of Mexican Gynecologists and Family Physicians

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofaa439.076 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S39-S39

Author(s):

Erika Z Lopatynsky-Reyes ◽

Sue Ann Costa-Clemens ◽

Enrique Chacon-Cruz ◽

Michael Greenberg

Keyword(s):

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Latin American ◽

Vaccine Coverage ◽

Family Physicians ◽

Morbidity And Mortality ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Beliefs And Attitudes ◽

In Pregnancy

Abstract Background Influenza in pregnancy is associated with elevated morbidity and mortality. Influenza vaccines are both safe and effective in pregnancy, supporting routine use in this population. Even though influenza vaccination in Mexico is recommended for pregnant women, there are no publications of influenza vaccine coverage in pregnancy. This is the first Latin American survey done only in physicians aiming to assess the knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes that Mexican Obstetrics-Gynecologists (OBG) and Family Physicians (FP) have towards influenza and influenza immunization during pregnancy. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted, both paper-based and online. The questionnaire was composed of 35 questions, which addressed general knowledge of influenza, recommendations for vaccination during pregnancy, and beliefs and attitudes concerning the acceptability of the vaccine in pregnant women. Results A total of 206 completed surveys were available, 98 (47.6%) from OBG, 108 (52.4%) from FP. Regarding current practicing medical institutions, 76 (37%), 69 (34%), 31 (14.5%), 30 (14.5%) reported working for the Mexican Institute of Social Security, Private Sector, Secretariat of Health, or a combination of all respectively, representing an estimated 2,472 daily pregnancy consultations. About a quarter (26.2%) reported not having a notion that influenza is more severe among pregnant women. More than half (51.5%) ignored the potential side effects of influenza infection on the fetus. The majority (56.8%) did not know when vaccination during pregnancy should occur. Pregnancy as a risk factor for developing influenza complications was known only in 48.1%. Also, 46.1 % believed that vaccination only confers protection to the mother, but not to the fetus. Nevertheless, 96.1% considered that immunization against influenza during pregnancy is a safe and effective preventive intervention. A results’ summary is shown in Figure-1. Conclusion Based on this survey, current knowledge of OBG and FP for influenza morbidity and mortality during pregnancy, and the importance of influenza vaccination in pregnant women, is poor. Mandatory recommendations to educate medical providers regarding influenza vaccination during pregnancy in Mexico are necessary, even as imperative for CME credits. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

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Risks of Major Mental Disorders and Irritable Bowel Syndrome among the Offspring of Parents with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Nationwide Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18094679 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (9) ◽

pp. 4679

Author(s):

Ta-Chuan Yeh ◽

Ya-Mei Bai ◽

Shih-Jen Tsai ◽

Tzeng-Ji Chen ◽

Chih-Sung Liang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Irritable Bowel Syndrome ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Early Implementation ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Irritable Bowel

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder that is highly comorbid with mental disorders. However, few studies have examined the risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder (MDD), and schizophrenia in the offspring of parents with IBS. We used nationally representative cross-sectional survey data to analyze cross-generational transmission patterns of both IBS and major mental disorders. Odds ratio (OR) was calculated by using logistic regression models with adjustment for potential confounding factors. Offspring of parents with IBS were more likely to develop IBS themselves (OR = 2.41, 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.09–2.78), ADHD (OR = 1.33, 95% CI, 1.08–1.62), and MDD (OR = 1.32, 95% CI, 1.04–1.68) than the controls. Data stratification by parental sex revealed that paternal IBS increased risk of ADHD (OR = 1.34, 95% CI, 1.01–1.77) in the offspring, while maternal IBS increased the risk of MDD (OR = 1.51, 95% CI, 1.11–2.06). This is the first study to reveal parental IBS is associated with IBS, ADHD, and MDD among offspring, suggesting the necessity for early implementation of prevention strategies for at-risk children.

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Maternal adherence to micronutrient supplementation before and during pregnancy in Northwest China: a large-scale population-based cross-sectional survey

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-028843 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. e028843 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Danmeng Liu ◽

Yue Cheng ◽

Shaonong Dang ◽

Duolao Wang ◽

Yaling Zhao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Large Scale ◽

Northwest China ◽

Population Based ◽

Shaanxi Province ◽

Micronutrient Supplementation ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Start Time ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Scale Population

ObjectivesTo report the situation of maternal micronutrient supplementation before and during pregnancy in Northwest China and to examine the rates of and factors related to the adherence to micronutrient supplementation among pregnant women in this region, where dietary micronutrient intake is commonly insufficient.DesignA large-scale population-based cross-sectional survey.SettingTwenty counties and ten districts of Shaanxi Province.ParticipantsA sample of 30 027 women were selected using a stratified multistage random sampling method. A total of 28 678 women were chosen for the final analysis after excluding those who did not provide clear information about nutritional supplementation before and during pregnancy.Main outcome measuresMaternal adherence to micronutrient supplementation (high and low) were the outcomes. They were determined by the start time and duration of use according to Chinese guidelines (for folic acid (FA) supplements) and WHO recommendations (for iron, calcium and multiple-micronutrient (MMN) supplements).ResultsIn total, 83.9% of women took at least one kind of micronutrient supplement before or during pregnancy. FA (67.6%) and calcium (57.5%) were the primarily used micronutrient supplements; few participants used MMN (14.0%) or iron (5.4%). Adherence to supplementation of all micronutrients was low (7.4% for FA, 0.6% for iron, 11.7% for calcium and 2.7% for MMN). Higher educational levels, higher income levels, urban residence and better antenatal care (including pregnancy consultation and a higher frequency of antenatal visits) were associated with high adherence to micronutrient supplementation.ConclusionMaternal micronutrient supplementation before and during pregnancy in Northwest China was way below standards recommended by the Chinese guidelines or WHO. Targeted health education and future nutritional guidelines are suggested to improve this situation, especially in pregnant women with disadvantaged sociodemographic conditions.

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Utilization of key preventive measures for pregnancy complications and malaria among women in Jimma Zone, Ethiopia

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-019-7727-8 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mariame Ouedraogo ◽

Jaameeta Kurji ◽

Lakew Abebe ◽

Ronald Labonté ◽

Sudhakar Morankar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Services ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Malaria Infection ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Health Sector ◽

Maternal Health Services ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Wealth Status ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Jimma Zone

Abstract Background In Ethiopia, malaria infections and other complications during pregnancy contribute to the high burden of maternal morbidity and mortality. Preventive measures are available, however little is known about the factors influencing the uptake of maternal health services and interventions by pregnant women in Ethiopia. Methods We analyzed data from a community-based cross-sectional survey conducted in 2016 in three rural districts of Jimma Zone, Ethiopia, with 3784 women who had a pregnancy outcome in the year preceding the survey. We used multivariable logistic regression models accounting for clustering to identify the determinants of antenatal care (ANC) attendance and insecticide-treated net (ITN) ownership and use, and the prevalence and predictors of malaria infection among pregnant women. Results Eighty-four percent of interviewed women reported receiving at least one ANC visit during their last pregnancy, while 47% reported attending four or more ANC visits. Common reasons for not attending ANC included women’s lack of awareness of its importance (48%), distance to health facility (23%) and unavailability of transportation (14%). Important determinants of ANC attendance included higher education level and wealth status, woman’s ability to make healthcare decisions, and pregnancy intendedness. An estimated 48% of women reported owning an ITN during their last pregnancy. Of these, 55% reported to have always slept under it during their last pregnancy. Analysis revealed that the odds of owning and using ITNs were respectively 2.07 (95% CI: 1.62–2.63) and 1.73 (95% CI: 1.32–2.27) times higher among women who attended at least one ANC visit. The self-reported prevalence of malaria infection during pregnancy was low (1.4%) across the three districts. We found that young, uneducated, and unemployed women presented higher odds of malaria infection during their last pregnancy. Conclusion ANC and ITN uptake during pregnancy in Jimma Zone fall below the respective targets of 95 and 90% set in the Ethiopian Health Sector Transformation Plan for 2020, suggesting that more intensive programmatic efforts still need to be directed towards improving access to these health services. Reaching ANC non-users and ITN ownership and use as part of ANC services could be emphasized to address these gaps.

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Determinants of Antenatal Care Attendance among Pregnant Women Living in Endemic Malaria Settings: Experience from the Democratic Republic of Congo

Obstetrics and Gynecology International ◽

10.1155/2016/5423413 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Célestin Ndosimao Nsibu ◽

Célestin Manianga ◽

Serge Kapanga ◽

Esther Mona ◽

Philippe Pululu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antenatal Care ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽

Male Partner ◽

First Trimester ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Republic Of Congo

Background. Antenatal care (ANC) attendance helps pregnant women to benefit from preventive and curative services.Methods. Determinants for ANC attendance were identified through a cross-sectional survey in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Sociocultural bottlenecks were assessed via focus groups discussion of married men and women.Results. In this survey, 28 of the 500 interviewed pregnant women (5.6%) did not attend ANC services and 82.4% booked over the first trimester. The first visit is positively influenced by the reproductive age (OR: 0.52, 95% CI(0.28–0.95),p<0.04), the educational level (OR: 0.41,95% CI(0.17–0.97),p<0.04), the nearby health center (OR: 0.43, 95% CI(0.2–0.92),p<0.03), and the presence of a male partner (OR: 10.48, 95% CI(2.1–52.23),p<0.001). The barriers to early booking were (i) the cost of service; (ii) the appearance or individual income; (iii) the geographical inaccessibility or distance to health facilities; (iv) social and religious prohibitions; (v) the stigmatization from other women when conceiving in the late ages or young or while still lactating (parity); (vi) the time for waiting for services.Conclusion. The early ANC attendance is delayed among poor women with little education and living alone.

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Medicinal plants’ use among patients with dyslipidemia: an Iranian cross-sectional survey

Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine ◽

10.1515/jcim-2018-0101 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mohammad Hashem Hashempur ◽

Seyed Hamdollah Mosavat ◽

Mojtaba Heydari ◽

Mesbah Shams

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Medicinal Plants ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Zingiber Officinale ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Herbal Preparations ◽

Positive Effects ◽

High Prevalence

Abstract Background Despite growing demand for medicinal plants, there is little data about their use by patients with dyslipidemia. We aimed to determine the prevalence, pattern, and associated factors for the use of medicinal plants among patients with dyslipidemia. Methods A 17-item semi-structured questionnaire was filled out by 195 patients with dyslipidemia in a cross-sectional study carried out in two academic endocrinology clinics in Shiraz, Iran. The questionnaire comprised of three main domains of demographic data (6 questions), clinical data (2 of them), and data related to the use of medicinal plants (totally 9 questions). Results A total of 77.4% of patients took medicinal plants. The most common medicinal herbs used by dyslipidemic patients were Zataria multiflora, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Zingiber officinale. Duration of dyslipidemia was significantly longer in herbal users than non-herbal users (p=0.04). Patients believing that concomitant use of conventional drugs and herbal preparations had synergic positive effects in addition to those persuaded that herbal preparations possessed less side effects, were significantly more likely to use medicinal plants (p=0.008 and 0.005, respectively). Additionally, most of the medicinal herb users (87.4%) changed neither the pattern nor the dosage of their medications all during herbal preparations use. Conclusions This study demonstrated a high prevalence of medicinal plants’ use among patients with dyslipidemia, which was associated with the duration of dyslipidemia, patients’ viewpoints about herbal preparations’ synergic positive effects, and their fewer side effects.

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The Use and Potential Interactions of Herbal Medicines among Diabetic Patients in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study

Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International ◽

10.9734/jpri/2021/v33i53a33655 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 226-234

Author(s):

Saleh Alghamdi

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Traditional Medicine ◽

Formal Education ◽

Descriptive Analysis ◽

Herbal Medicines ◽

Black Tea ◽

Diabetic Patients ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Research Committee ◽

Cross Sectional

Objectives: The use of herbal medicines as non-conventional treatment is popular, especially in developing countries where people suffering from chronic diseases as diabetes mellitus are more likely to use herbal medicines along with conventional medicines. However, their simultaneous use may concur serious drug interactions and may therefore result in a serious outcome. The present study was designed to identify the most commonly used herbal medicines and conventional anti-diabetic medications among Saudi population. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was developed and piloted.Data were retrieved and manually entered in Excel 2016. Frequencies and percentages were utilized to perform descriptive analysis. The study was approved by the Scientific and Research Committee of the main hospital taking part in the study. Results: A total of 347 responses were recorded (69.4% response rate). 54% of participants were male, 53% were between the age of 41 and 64 years, and 35.5% had no formal education. Black tea, Peppermint, ginger, green tea, olive oil, and black seed were among the frequently mentioned herbal medicines. Black tea was used by the majority of patients (80%) while peppermint and ginger were used by more than half of patients, i.e., (56.5%) and (52.7%) respectively. Least common herb used by patients was Artemisia species (2.8%). A majority of patients (53.4%) used traditional medicine at least once daily, and 83% used traditional medicine without their physician's prescription. Conclusion: Concomitant use of herbal and conventional anti-diabetic medication was a common practice among patients in Saudi Arabia, therefore, pharmacists-led educational programs should target both prescribers and general public about the possible interactions/risks of herbal medicines.

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