Perceived benefits, problems and risks in complementary and alternative medicine use among pregnant women in the Niger delta, Nigeria

Abstract

The works of deBoer and Lamxay1 attributed the reasons for the use of CAM to be associated with traditional and cultural beliefs and practices as well as comparison of experiences between conventional health care professionals. Similarly, Ngubane cited in Mupfumira2 buttressing this point stated that in African culture, infants are particularly susceptible to harm from evil spirits and specific CAM are taken as a positive measure against bewitchment or to avoid misfortune as well as to ensure the baby’s survival. Frenkel, BenArye, Carlson and Sierpina,3 in their study, opined that in Africa, many people use CAM to meet their primary health care needs because the therapy is easily accessible, and the only affordable source of health care in some countries, especially the world’s most impoverished clients. Hence complementary and alternative medicine has gained recognition and has also become of great importance in the healthcare sector.