The use of herbal medicines by pregnant women in the Obuasi municipality
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Date
November, 2019
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Abstract
Background: Prior knowledge, perception, and some demographic characteristics are key
determinants of the use of herbal medicine among pregnant women before, during and after
pregnancy. Numerous studies have come out with different results. Studies in the past have
either confirmed already discovered reasons for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
use during pregnancy or revealed otherwise. Objectives: This study sought to access the use
of herbal medicines by pregnant women in the Obuasi municipality. Methods: A crosssectional study design was conducted among pregnant women who have used Herbal
preparation in their previous pregnancy at Obuasi municipality. A simple random sampling
approach used to recruit participants. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire
assessing the specific objectives of the study. Data obtained were analyzed using STATA
Version 14.0. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were carried out. Relationships
between categorical variables were analyzed using the Pearson chi-square test at a
significance level of P <0.05. Results: A sample of 300 women participated in the study. The
mean age of the respondents was 33.7±5.5years. The results showed that 52% of respondents
has ever used herbal medication (HM) and 66.7% of these people believed herbal
preparations were cheaper and that orthodox medication was more effective (55.3%) than
herbal medicine. A larger proportion saw no adverse effect in the combination of both
orthodox and herbal medicine (70.3%). About 52.6% of women knew the effects of herbal
medicine use. Factors such as the number of pregnancies which HM was taking for [AOR =
2.14; 95% CI. = 4.83-9.5], the stage of the pregnancy [AOR = 9.71; 95% CI. = 1.9-14.73]
and the ability to consult other people on HM for details [AOR = 3.13; 95% CI. = 1.73-5.36]
were factors that influenced a woman to use HM during pregnancy.
Conclusion: This study explored the knowledge, perceptions, and utilization of herbal
medicine among pregnant women in the Obuasi Municipality of Ghana. Many pregnant
women reported positive perceptions and attitudes towards herbal medicines as well as using
such therapies frequently. Sensitization of the community on the effects of herbal medicines
on pregnant women and their unborn babies is key.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Department of Health Policy, Management and Economics.
Keywords
Herbal medicines, Pregnant, Obuasi