Exploring traditional medicine utilisation during antenatal care among women in Bulilima District of Plumtree in Zimbabwe
Authors
Nicholas Mudonhi
Department of Environmental Science and Health, Faculty of Applied Sciences, National University of Science and Technology, Corner Gwanda Road and Cecil Avenue, P O Box AC 939, Ascot, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Wilfred Nunu
Department of Environmental Science and Health, Faculty of Applied Sciences, National University of Science and Technology, Corner Gwanda Road and Cecil Avenue, P O Box AC 939, Ascot, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Nomathemba Sibanda
Department of Environmental Science and Health, Faculty of Applied Sciences, National University of Science and Technology, Corner Gwanda Road and Cecil Avenue, P O Box AC 939, Ascot, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Nkosana Khumalo
Department of Environmental Science and Health, Faculty of Applied Sciences, National University of Science and Technology, Corner Gwanda Road and Cecil Avenue, P O Box AC 939, Ascot, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Keywords:
Subject terms: Environmental social sciences, Health care, Medical research
Abstract
Traditional medicine utilisation during antenatal care has been on the increase in several countries. Therefore, addressing and reinforcing the Sustainable Development Goal of maternal mortality reduction, there is a need to take traditional medicine utilisation during pregnancy into consideration. This paper explores traditional medicine utilisation during antenatal care among women in Bulilima District of Plumtree in Zimbabwe. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 177 randomly selected women using a semi-structured questionnaire. Fisher's Exact Test, Odds Ratios, and Multiple Logistic Regression were utilised to determine any associations between different demographic characteristics and traditional medicine utilisation patterns using STATA SE Version 13. The prevalence of Traditional Medicine utilisation among pregnant women was estimated to be 28%. Most traditional remedies were used in the third trimester to quicken delivery. The majority of women used holy water and unknown Traditional Medicine during pregnancy. There was a strong association between age and Traditional Medicine utilisation as older women are 13 times more likely to use Traditional Medicine than younger ones. Women use traditional medicine for different purposes during pregnancy, and older women's likelihood to use Traditional Medicine is higher than their counterparts. The traditional system plays an essential role in antenatal care; therefore, there is a need to conduct further studies on the efficacy and safety of utilising Traditional Medicines.
Subject terms: Environmental social sciences, Health care, Medical research
Author Biography
Wilfred Nunu, Department of Environmental Science and Health, Faculty of Applied Sciences, National University of Science and Technology, Corner Gwanda Road and Cecil Avenue, P O Box AC 939, Ascot, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Scientific Agriculture and Environment Development Institute, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
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