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Background: There is increasing reports of use of herbal medicines worldwide. Among the patients who are likely to be at risk from adverse effects of herbal medicines are pregnant and lactating women. A study of the use of herbal medicines in pregnancy is necessary.Objective: To determining the period incidence, socio-demographic pattern, knowledge, attitude and use of herbal medicines in pregnancy.Method: A cohort study of 440 women, who attended the antenatal clinic and delivered in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano Nigeria, between June and December, 2011.Results: The period incidence for use of herbal medicines in pregnancy in this study was 25%. There was no significant association between the use of herbal medicines and age or parity groups (P > 0.05), but there was significant association with no formal education (OR = 2.97, CI = 1.49 – 5.91, P = 0.001), and low socioeconomic class (OR = 1.90, CI = 1.17 – 3.08, P = 0.008). Majority of the respondents used herbal medicines in the first (58.2%) and second trimesters (56.4%) trimesters of pregnancy, were not sure of its safety and efficacy, but hope to use it in future pregnancies, because it is their traditional medicine. Their mothers were the commonest source of procurement and information.Conclusion: The use of herbal medicines among a cohort of pregnant women in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital is high. Use of herbal medicines in pregnancy should be made prominent in our training curriculum, health talks and history taking during antenatal clinic visits.Keywords: Herbal medicine, pregnant women, socio-demographic pattern, Knowledge, attitude, useTrop J Obstet Gynaecol, 30 (1), April 2013 |
