Traditional and Complementary Medicine Use During Postpartum Period: A Cross-Sectional Analysis at a Rural, Public Maternal and Child Health Clinic in West Malaysia
Authors
Mohd Ridzuan
Family Medicine, Bagan Serai Health Clinic, Bagan Serai, MYS
Mohd Ali
Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, MYS
Chai-Eng Tan
Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, MYS
Aznida Aziz
Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, MYS
Keywords:
traditional medicine, complementary medicine, post-partum
Abstract
Background and objective
Despite the widespread use of traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) during pregnancy, very few studies have focused on the use of these practices during the postpartum period among women in Malaysia. This study aimed to evaluate users’ profiles and factors associated with the use of TCM during the postpartum period among women attending a community clinic in rural Malaysia.
Materials and methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 210 women at a maternal and child health clinic in Bagan Serai, Perak, Malaysia from January to April 2019. A self-administered questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence, the different types, and reasons for the use of TCM and perceptions toward TCM. Factors associated with TCM use during the postpartum period were derived from multiple logistic regression analyses.
Results
The prevalence of TCM use during the postpartum period was 66.2% among the subjects. The most common type of TCM used was massage (88.3%), and the most common reason reported was to improve general well-being (72.1%). “Family belief” had the highest mean for influence toward TCM use (mean: 3.63). Malays (adj. OR: 4.52, 95% CI: 1.93-10.59, p=0.001) and those having a low monthly household income (adj. OR: 3.68, 95% CI: 1.24-10.91, p=0.019) were the groups that were more likely to use TCM.
Conclusion
TCM use during the postpartum period is highly prevalent among Malay women with low household monthly incomes. Further studies should be conducted to address the benefits and risks of using TCM during the postpartum period.
Keywords: traditional medicine, complementary medicine, post-partum
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