Other Titles
The Intersection of Tradition and Health: Insights to Herbal Medicine Use in Pregnancy in Nigeria [Poster Title]
Abstract
Background: The use of herbal medicines has increased significantly with around 80% of consumers worldwide particularly among women (Afriyie & Kumi-Kyereme, 2023). The prevalence of herbal medicine use during pregnancy varies by country, from 7% to 55%, influenced by social status, ethnicity, and culture (Illamola et al., 2020). In Australia and the UK, rates range from 52% to 58%, while Norway and Italy report 40% to 48%. In contrast, Canada and the US show lower rates of 6% to 9%, and in parts of Africa, such as Nigeria, rates range from 12.08% to 66.7% (Adamolekum etal 2023; Orief et al., 2014).
Purpose: The study assessed the predictors of herbal products usage among pregnant women in State Health Facilities in, Osun State, Nigeria.
Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional descriptive research design to investigate the knowledge, usage, medical conditions, and factors influencing herbal medicine among 347 pregnant women in four Primary Health Care facilities in Osun State, Nigeria. Data were gathered using a self-developed and pilot tested questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, were utilized to examine the relationships between various demographic factors and the use of herbal medicine. The analysis was conducted at a significance level of 0.05, facilitating an evaluation of how demographic characteristics may affect the adoption of herbal remedies among the participants.
Result: The study results indicate that approximately 70% of pregnant women utilize herbal products, particularly during the first trimester, to alleviate symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, malaria, heartburn, backaches, and abdominal pain or indigestion. The herbal medicines commonly used during pregnancy include lime, bitter kola, bitter leaf, ginger, garlic, neem leaves, as well as moringa seeds and leaves. Furthermore, there was a significant association observed between factors such as religion, education, monthly income, pre-pregnancy herbal use, and the usage of herbal remedies during pregnancy at p < 0.05
Conclusion: The findings of the study reveal significant socio-demographic factors that predict the usage of herbal medicine among pregnant women. Notable influences include religion, educational attainment, and average monthly income, with prior usage patterns . These results emphasize the necessity of understanding cultural beliefs and socio-economic contexts in shaping health behaviors.
Notes
References:
ADAMOLEKUN, M. M., AKPOR, O. A., Olorunfemi, O., & AKPOR, O. B. (2023). Traditional medicine use during pregnancy and labor in African context: A scoping review. Journal of Integrative Nursing, 5(1), 66-72.
Afriyie, J., & Kumi-Kyereme, A. (2023). Predictors of herbal medicine use in Ashanti Region of Ghana. Advances in Integrative Medicine, 10(2), 80-85.
Illamola, S. M., Amaeze, O. U., Krepkova, L. V., Birnbaum, A. K., Karanam, A., Job, K. M., ... & Enioutina, E. Y. (2020). Use of herbal medicine by pregnant women: What physicians need to know. Frontiers in pharmacology, 10, 1483.
Orief, Y. I., Farghaly, N. F., & Ibrahim, M. I. A. (2014). Use of herbal medicines among pregnant women attending family health centers in Alexandria. Middle East Fertility Society Journal, 19(1), 42-50.
Sigma Membership
Phi Gamma (Virtual)
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Cross-Sectional
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Academic-clinical Partnership, Herbal Medicines, Pregnancy, Nigeria
Recommended Citation
Ibitoye, Olabisi Fatimo and Oluwaseun, Abokede O., "The Intersection of Tradition and Health: Insight to Herbal Medicine Use in Pregnancy" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 155.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/posters_2025/155
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
The Intersection of Tradition and Health: Insight to Herbal Medicine Use in Pregnancy
Seattle, Washington, USA
Background: The use of herbal medicines has increased significantly with around 80% of consumers worldwide particularly among women (Afriyie & Kumi-Kyereme, 2023). The prevalence of herbal medicine use during pregnancy varies by country, from 7% to 55%, influenced by social status, ethnicity, and culture (Illamola et al., 2020). In Australia and the UK, rates range from 52% to 58%, while Norway and Italy report 40% to 48%. In contrast, Canada and the US show lower rates of 6% to 9%, and in parts of Africa, such as Nigeria, rates range from 12.08% to 66.7% (Adamolekum etal 2023; Orief et al., 2014).
Purpose: The study assessed the predictors of herbal products usage among pregnant women in State Health Facilities in, Osun State, Nigeria.
Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional descriptive research design to investigate the knowledge, usage, medical conditions, and factors influencing herbal medicine among 347 pregnant women in four Primary Health Care facilities in Osun State, Nigeria. Data were gathered using a self-developed and pilot tested questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, were utilized to examine the relationships between various demographic factors and the use of herbal medicine. The analysis was conducted at a significance level of 0.05, facilitating an evaluation of how demographic characteristics may affect the adoption of herbal remedies among the participants.
Result: The study results indicate that approximately 70% of pregnant women utilize herbal products, particularly during the first trimester, to alleviate symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, malaria, heartburn, backaches, and abdominal pain or indigestion. The herbal medicines commonly used during pregnancy include lime, bitter kola, bitter leaf, ginger, garlic, neem leaves, as well as moringa seeds and leaves. Furthermore, there was a significant association observed between factors such as religion, education, monthly income, pre-pregnancy herbal use, and the usage of herbal remedies during pregnancy at p < 0.05
Conclusion: The findings of the study reveal significant socio-demographic factors that predict the usage of herbal medicine among pregnant women. Notable influences include religion, educational attainment, and average monthly income, with prior usage patterns . These results emphasize the necessity of understanding cultural beliefs and socio-economic contexts in shaping health behaviors.
Description
The study examined factors influencing herbal product use among pregnant women in State Health Facilities in Osun State, Nigeria. It found a high prevalence of herbal medicine use for common ailments in early pregnancy, with remedies like lime, bitter kola, ginger, garlic, and moringa being popular. A significant association was identified between religion, education, income, past use of herbal remedies, and the use of herbal treatments during pregnancy, with a p-value of less than 0.05.