Understanding forgotten exposures towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3: a cross‐sectional study on herbal medicine use during pregnancy or delivery in Tanzania

Abstract

Background 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, 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. Methods This 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. Results Of 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). Conclusions Use 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.

Patient–physician communication on herbal medicine use during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…These findings illustrate the importance of ANC coverage, as it is a foundation for ensuring maternal health. ANC visits provide an opportunity to regularly check pregnant women’s health, discuss any health-related concerns and exchange health information 23 195 196. Routine ANC visits can also facilitate effective patient–doctor dialogue about HM use and help prevent inappropriate use of HM 27 180…”

“…Furthermore, the HM use and disclosure rates were also compared based on the MCH status of the study settings because we hypothesised that pregnant women’s disclosure of HM use is associated with better MCH outcomes. As open communication on HM use between expectant mothers and their healthcare providers could help prevent inappropriate HM use,23 27 we considered the disclosure of HM as an intervention for achieving optimal MCH. The MCH status of each study setting was determined by assessing the major MCH indicators, such as maternal mortality rate (MMR), neonatal mortality rate (NMR), skilled birth attendant (SBA) utilisation rate and the coverage of at least four ANC visits at the time of each study.…”

“…9 16-18 Specifically, the abundance of information available online blurs the line between lay and expert knowledge, making it challenging for individuals to discern accurate information. 8 Furthermore, the use of HM is often cited as one of the reasons for delay in seeking professional healthcare services and is associated with inadequate antenatal care (ANC) utilisation, [19][20][21][22][23][24] potentially increasing the risk of unfavourable maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes. 25 26 Therefore, effective management of pregnant women's HM use has emerged as a significant public health concern in order to prevent the misuse of HM and mitigate subsequent threats to MCH.…”

Plants of Gandhamardan in Maternal Care: An Ethnobotanical Approach

“…It has been the oldest treatment which is considered as a precursor of the modern pharmaceutical trade. Plant has therapeutic properties such as wound healing, pain relief, and digestive care which have been widely exploited for disease prevention purpose [1]. The WHO estimates that about half of the population in developing countries depends on alternative or traditional medicines.…”