Herbal medicines use during pregnancy in Sierra Leone: An exploratory cross-sectional study

James, PB; Bah, AJ; Tommy, MS; Wardle, J; Steel, A

Herbal medicines use during pregnancy in Sierra Leone: An exploratory cross-sectional study

James, PB

Bah, AJ Tommy, MS Wardle, J

Steel, A

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Women and Birth, 2018, 31 (5), pp. e302 - e309
Issue Date:: 2018-10-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	James, PB https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6373-5704	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Bah, AJ	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Tommy, MS	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Wardle, J https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8813-3542	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Steel, A https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6643-9444	en_US
dc.date.available	2017-12-04	en_US
dc.date.issued	2018-10-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Women and Birth, 2018, 31 (5), pp. e302 - e309	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1871-5192	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/129214
dc.description.abstract	© 2017 Australian College of Midwives Background: The influence of complementary therapies on maternal health has attracted the attention of policy makers, health professionals and researchers globally especially in developing countries. However, there is lack of evidence on whether Sierra Leonean women use herbal medicine during pregnancy which limit the chance of providing better maternity care. Aim: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and pattern of herbal medicines use among pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic at a tertiary maternal hospital in Sierra Leone. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women (n = 134) who were at least 18 years of age and who have had at least one previous pregnancy, using face to face interview. Descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used for data analysis. Results: The response rate was 82.7%. Nearly two-thirds of pregnant women reported using herbal medicine (62.7%). Herbal medicine users were more likely to be Muslim than Christian. Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb was the most cited herbal medicine used and was mostly indicated for urinary tract infection and pedal oedema. Perceived effectiveness and safety over conventional medicine (70.2%) was key driver for use, and majority did not disclose their use of herbs to their maternal health professional (95.2%). Conclusion: Herbal medicine use among pregnant women in this study was widespread. Maternal health providers should be aware of this relatively common practice and routinely discuss and educate pregnant women on the potential risks and benefits associated with the use of herbs.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Women and Birth	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.wombi.2017.12.006	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy Complications	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Plant Extracts	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Complementary Therapies	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Phytotherapy	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Prevalence	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Cross-Sectional Studies	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Perception	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnant Women	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Sierra Leone	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Herbal Medicine	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Young Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Maternal Health	en_US
dc.title	Herbal medicines use during pregnancy in Sierra Leone: An exploratory cross-sectional study	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	5	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	31	en_US
utslib.for	1104 Complementary and Alternative Medicine	en_US
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Public Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	5	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	31	en_US

Abstract:

© 2017 Australian College of Midwives Background: The influence of complementary therapies on maternal health has attracted the attention of policy makers, health professionals and researchers globally especially in developing countries. However, there is lack of evidence on whether Sierra Leonean women use herbal medicine during pregnancy which limit the chance of providing better maternity care. Aim: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and pattern of herbal medicines use among pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic at a tertiary maternal hospital in Sierra Leone. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women (n = 134) who were at least 18 years of age and who have had at least one previous pregnancy, using face to face interview. Descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used for data analysis. Results: The response rate was 82.7%. Nearly two-thirds of pregnant women reported using herbal medicine (62.7%). Herbal medicine users were more likely to be Muslim than Christian. Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb was the most cited herbal medicine used and was mostly indicated for urinary tract infection and pedal oedema. Perceived effectiveness and safety over conventional medicine (70.2%) was key driver for use, and majority did not disclose their use of herbs to their maternal health professional (95.2%). Conclusion: Herbal medicine use among pregnant women in this study was widespread. Maternal health providers should be aware of this relatively common practice and routinely discuss and educate pregnant women on the potential risks and benefits associated with the use of herbs.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/129214