Abstract
BackgroundIn 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.MethodsThis 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.ResultsOf 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).ConclusionsUse 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.
Highlights
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
Like many other sub-Sahara African countries, has unacceptably high rates of perinatal mortality, 39 deaths per 1000 pregnancies; neonatal mortality, 25 deaths per 1000 live births; and maternal mortality ratio of 556 per 100,000 live births [2]. Most of these deaths can be prevented based on the adequacy of clinical management and quality of care that are provided during pregnancy, delivery and postpartum periods [3]
Newborn and child deaths are caused by factors attributable to pregnancy, childbirth and poor quality of health services, achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 planned target in the reduction of maternal mortality will bring to an end most of the preventable deaths of children less than five years of age
Summary
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, deterring achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3, which aims to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”. Like many other sub-Sahara African countries, has unacceptably high rates of perinatal mortality, 39 deaths per 1000 pregnancies; neonatal mortality, 25 deaths per 1000 live births; and maternal mortality ratio of 556 per 100,000 live births [2] Most of these deaths can be prevented based on the adequacy of clinical management and quality of care that are provided during pregnancy, delivery and postpartum periods [3]. Newborn and child deaths are caused by factors attributable to pregnancy, childbirth and poor quality of health services, achieving the SDG 3 planned target in the reduction of maternal mortality will bring to an end most of the preventable deaths of children less than five years of age
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