Experiences of pregnant women regarding the use of traditional medicine (isihlambezo) at King Cetshwayo District in KwaZulu-Natal

Q2 Nursing

International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences Pub Date : 2025-01-01 DOI:10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100840

Siphiwe Themba Madlala, Mpilo Shange

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Problem

The prevalence of herbal medicine (isihlambezo) use is on the rise worldwide, especially amongst pregnant women. Most women believe that traditional medicine use has significance and advantages to them and their unborn babies during pregnancy. There are few scientific studies about its safety for pregnant women and their babes, regardless of possible teratogenic effects that may result in fatalities amongst pregnant women, who continue to consume isihlambezo.

Aim

The study aimed to explore and describe experiences of pregnant women regarding the use of traditional herbal medicine (isihlambezo).

Methodology

Qualitative descriptive phenomenology research design was employed in this study. Twelve participants who were purposefully selected to collect data were interviewed until data saturation was reached using unstructured interviews as data collecting strategy. Data was analysed by using Colaizzi steps of phenomenological data analysis.

Results

Several themes and sub-themes emerged from the study which included myths about isihlambezo, traditional and cultural beliefs, indication and effects of isihlambezo. Most participants expressed strong beliefs regarding the use of traditional herbal medicine (isihlambezo). Therefore, it is evident that isihlambezo continues to gain momentum among pregnant women despite not being scientifically tested for its safety use during pregnancy.

Conclusion

The study’s findings revealed that factors such as unemployment, poverty, lack of education and beliefs contribute to the high uptake of traditional herbal medicine (isihlambezo) among pregnant women. Hence, its consumption during pregnancy is on the rise despite its unknown safety.

Contribution

Maternal healthcare institutions should consider reviewing the safety use traditional herbal medicine (isihlambezo).

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来源期刊

International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences Nursing-Nursing (all)

CiteScore

2.40

自引率

0.00%

发文量

114

审稿时长

21 weeks

期刊介绍： International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences (IJANS) is an international scientific journal published by Elsevier. The broad-based journal was founded on two key tenets, i.e. to publish the most exciting research with respect to the subjects of Nursing and Midwifery in Africa, and secondly, to advance the international understanding and development of nursing and midwifery in Africa, both as a profession and as an academic discipline. The fully refereed journal provides a forum for all aspects of nursing and midwifery sciences, especially new trends and advances. The journal call for original research papers, systematic and scholarly review articles, and critical papers which will stimulate debate on research, policy, theory or philosophy of nursing as related to nursing and midwifery in Africa, technical reports, and short communications, and which will meet the journal''s high academic and ethical standards. Manuscripts of nursing practice, education, management, and research are encouraged. The journal values critical scholarly debate on issues that have strategic significance for educators, practitioners, leaders and policy-makers of nursing and midwifery in Africa. The journal publishes the highest quality scholarly contributions reflecting the diversity of nursing, and is also inviting international scholars who are engaged with nursing and midwifery in Africa to contribute to the journal. We will only publish work that demonstrates the use of rigorous methodology as well as by publishing papers that highlight the theoretical underpinnings of nursing and midwifery as it relates to the Africa context.