Herbal medicine use among pregnant women at antenatal clinic in Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundHerbal medicines are raw or processed plant-derived ingredients. Their use during pregnancy may contributed to several adverse effects that could be lethal to the mother and their unborn children. AimsThis study aims to assess the prevalence of herbal medicine use and associated factors among pregnant women at Woldia General Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (WGCSH) in Ethiopia. SamplesThe sample size in this study was 272. MethodsA facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 270 pregnant mothers from March 2 to April 2, 2021, at WGCSH in the antenatal care clinic. A standardized, structured questionnaire-based interviewer was used to collect the socio-demographic variables; obstetrics variables; and other related variables for this study. The prevalence of herbal medicine use and associated factors were determined using descriptive and logistic regression analysis, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. ResultsThe prevalence of herbal medicine use in this study was 22.6%. Most of the pregnant women used Ocimum lamiifolium and Rutachalepensis. The use of herbal medicines during pregnancy in rural areas was higher than in urban areas (OR 2.51; 95% CI 1.35–3.54). The place of residence (AOR 3.66; 95% CI 1.83–4.74), perception of needing to use herbal medicine (AOR 2.20; 95% CI 4.99–9.86), stage of pregnancy (AOR 2.56; 95% CI 1.16–9.36), distance from the health facility (AOR 2.90; 95% CI 1.52–12.65), and previous use of herbal medicine (AOR 3.23; 95% CI 2.74–7.56) were significantly associated with herbal medicine use. ConclusionsNearly one-fourth of pregnant mothers at WGCSH used herbal products and preparations.