INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH HERBAL MEDICINE USE AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN DURING THE ANTEPARTUM PERIOD AT WALUKUBA HEALTH CENTRE IV, JINJA DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background

This study investigated the individual and socio-economic factors associated with pregnant women using herbal medicine during the antepartum period at Walukuba Health Center IV, Jinja district.

Methodology

The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design involving the quantitative method of data collection using a simple random sampling technique in which 30 participants were selected

Results

majority of the respondents were aged between (31 – 45) years, 85% of the respondents were coming from urban areas, the majority of respondents 19 (63%) were employed, and 17 (57%) had attained a tertiary level of education. 

The majority of the respondents 17 (57%) had ever used herbal medicine before, most respondents 25 (83%) used herbal medicine when they became ill during pregnancy, and about 24 (80%) said they normally self-prescribed themselves medication during pregnancy. (80%) believed that using herbal medication in pregnancy promotes culture and norms, the biggest number of respondents 21 (70%) mentioned that herbal medicine is abundantly available in their communities.

majority of respondents 22 (73%) were living in communities that did not encourage them to use herbal medicine during pregnancy and a greater number of respondents 19 (63%) reported that they were encouraged by friends to use herbal medicine during pregnancy.

Conclusion

The established socio-economic factors from the study included culture promotion, rural residence of pregnant mothers availability of herbal medicine in societies, and influence of friends to use herbal medicine; individual-related factors included self-prescription during pregnancy, previous history of herbal medicine use, maternal illness during pregnancy

Recommendation

MOH should Strengthen the knowledge of pregnant mothers about the dangers of herbal medicine use in pregnancy

The MOH conducts campaigns targeting the communities to discourage the use of herbal medicine during pregnancy.