International Journal of Health & Allied Sciences

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year
: 2021  |  Volume : 10  |  Issue : 4  |  Page : 287--292

Knowledge of herbal medicines among pregnant women attending some antenatal clinics in Eastern Nigeria


Maureen Ogochukwu Akunne, Chigozie Gloria Anene-Okeke, Adaobi Uchenna Mosanya 
 Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Management, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Adaobi Uchenna Mosanya
Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Management, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, PMB 410001, Enugu State
Nigeria

BACKGROUND: There are no studies assessing the knowledge of herbal medicines among pregnant women in Eastern Nigeria despite a universal increase in herbal medicines used by this population who usually are at risk from their adverse effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge of herbal medicines among expectant mothers in Eastern Nigeria in order to estimate any need for education on the safety and effectiveness of herbal medicines use in pregnancy. METHODS: A cross-sectional and descriptive method was adopted, and data were collected with a validated questionnaire between June and August 2018 in three health facilities in Nsukka among pregnant women who attended antenatal clinics. A total of 300 participants were conveniently sampled. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 23. For statistical significance, P < 0.05. RESULTS: Out of the 300 respondents who gave their consent, 93.3% were married, 89.9% were within the age range of 18–34 years old, and 82.8% of them had postprimary education. The mean percentage knowledge score of herbal medicine was 63.196%. More than half of the women scored below the mean score and were considered to have poor knowledge (57.9%). The respondents' sociodemographics had a nonsignificant statistical relationship with the level of knowledge of herbal medicines (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Most of the pregnant women assessed in this study had poor knowledge of herbal medicine and no association with their sociodemographic characteristics was observed.


How to cite this article:
Akunne MO, Anene-Okeke CG, Mosanya AU. Knowledge of herbal medicines among pregnant women attending some antenatal clinics in Eastern Nigeria.Int J Health Allied Sci 2021;10:287-292


How to cite this URL:
Akunne MO, Anene-Okeke CG, Mosanya AU. Knowledge of herbal medicines among pregnant women attending some antenatal clinics in Eastern Nigeria. Int J Health Allied Sci [serial online] 2021 [cited 2024 Mar 29 ];10:287-292
Available from: https://www.ijhas.in/article.asp?issn=2278-344X;year=2021;volume=10;issue=4;spage=287;epage=292;aulast=Akunne;type=0