Prevalence of Herbal Medicine Use in Pregnancy and Associated Factors Among Mothers Attending a Mbale Hospital in Eastern Uganda

Mugala D, Ssenyonga L, Iramiot JS, Nteziyaremye J and Nekaka R

Published on: 2023-07-24

Abstract

World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 80% of people in Africa use traditioanal medicine. Herbal medicine use in pregnancy (HMiP) is very prevalent and is used for several ailments. It continues to gain momentum due to availability, affordability, perceived efficacy, safety and cultural acceptance despite being associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Moreover, weak regulatory laws on marketing and distribution in comparison to allopathic medicines foster use.  However, there is limited data regarding the prevalence and factors associated with HMiP in Eastern Uganda and thus the merit of our study.

Methods: We employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design using both qualitative and quantitative methods. The study was rooted into two theories; theory of planned behaviour(TPB) and theory of health belief mode(HBM).

Using a systematic sampling technique,281 mothers were recruited for the quantitative study part while 20 mothers were selected for the qualitative part of the study.These mothers had come to  attend Young child clinic at the hospital.Quantitative data was entered and analyzed in Microsoft Excel and Stata version 14 software while qualitative data was analyzed using Nvivo 11 software.

Results: The prevalence of HMiP was 85% (239/281) and the majority ,75% did so during the third trimester. The factors significantly associated with use were previous use (AOR=10, p<0.001) and willingness to disclose use to health workers (HWs) (AOR=5.2, p<0.001). However only 59.79% were willing to disclose HMiP to HWs.

Furthermore,these drugs were largely perceived to be safe,efficacious,cheap and readily available compared to the allopathic medicines.Notwithstanding, adverse effects associated with HMiP were reported.

Amongst the indications for use included need to widen pelvis and smoothen labour,chase away evil spirits and psychosis and treating fatigue.

Conclusion: HMiP is very prevalent and fuelled by information from family and friends. Interventions such as community health education, pharmacovigilance and enaction of,and implementation of stringet laws that would govern marketing,supply and distribution of herbal medicines should be embraced.