Herbal medicine use and associated factors among lactating mothers visiting maternal and child health clinic at Woldia comprehensive specialized hospital, North Wollo Zone, Ethiopia, 2023.

Abstract

Introduction: Globally, reproductive-age women appear to be the major users of herbal products, particularly during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Despite safety concerns, lactating women in Ethiopia use herbal products to increase their milk supply or to treat ailments. Thus, the current study aimed to assess the prevalence of herbal medicine use and associated factors among lactating women visiting maternal and child health clinics at Woldia Comprehensive Specialized Hospital.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 362 lactating women who visited the Expanded Program Immunization and Family Planning Clinics at Woldia Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from February 1 to April 30, 2023. The study participants were chosen using a systematic sampling method. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire through face-to-face interviews and entered using EPI-Data version 4.2.0. It was then analyzed using SPSS version 25. A binary logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with the use of herbal medicine. Statistical significance was considered at a p-value of less than 0.05 in the final model. The findings were presented using texts, tables, and graphical representations.

Results: Out of 362 pregnant women who participated in this study, 150 (41.43%, 95% CI: 36.3, 46.5%) used herbal products during their lactating period. The most frequently used herbal products during lactation were Zingiber officinale 73 (48.6%), followed by Lepidium sativum 67 (44.6%), Ocimum lamifolium 60 (40%), and Linum usitatissimum 53 (35.3%). Among lactating mothers attending the clinics, factors associated with herbal medicine use included having a positive attitude toward herbal medicine use (AOR = 5.6; 95% CI = 3.1,9.9), having a history of using herbal products (AOR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.2,3.9), lacking postpartum counseling (AOR = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.2,5.7), living further away from medical facilities (AOR = 2.8; 95% CI = 1.7, 4,8), and earning less than 5000 ETB per month (AOR = 3.5; 95% CI: 1.0, 12.2).

Conclusions: In the study area, herbal medicine use was a common practice among lactating mothers. Factors influencing this trend include women's attitudes toward herbal medicine, postpartum counseling, and their previous experiences with such remedies. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize efforts aimed at shifting the perceptions of reproductive women regarding herbal medicine use and to enhance postpartum counseling. Further, it is essential to emphasize the potential risks of certain herbal medicines, especially those with unknown safety profiles, as they can significantly impact the health of the women and breastfeeding infants.