Published Paper


Usage of complementary and alternative medicine among pregnant women attending prenatal care setting in Abuja, Nigeria

Adamu Shehu Usman, Adamu Maryam Bappah, Mshelia Yahonna Godiya
Nigeria
Page: 330-339
Published on: 2023 June

Abstract

Problem: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are sets of medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not commonly considered part of Conventional Medicine. However, literatures on the usage of CAM in many part of Nigeria particularly Abuja is scarce. The study was aimed at investigating the prevalence, pattern of use, and socio-demographic characteristics associated with the usage of CAM among pregnant women attending antenatal in Abuja. Approach: Combination of quantitative and qualitative techniques were used to gather data based on the knowledge, altitude, and perception (KAP) framework. Quantitative information was collected through questionnaire-based interviews. Qualitative data was collected via open-ended questions for a period of four months with a total of 400 participants from six randomly selected general hospitals of Abuja. Results: The highest prevalence of usage was observed among the age group 18-30yrs (54.3%), low in-come earners (61%), secondary school certificate holders (41.4%), Married (48.1) and respondents from Abuja municipal area council (20.3%). However, low prevalence was recorded on pregnant mothers that used CAM in their third Trimester, high income earners (39%), Divorced (6.7%) below 18yrs (5.3%) and resides in Bwari Area Council (13.9%). Age followed by gender, were the most significant socio-demographic component related with CAM use among pregnant women. Oral ingestion, consultation of traditional birth attendants, as well as topical use, undergoing spiritual cleansing, and insertion into the genital canal were identified as pattern of use of CAM. Conclusion: Maternity care Clinicians, and Midwives in particular, should be familiar with CAM utilized by pregnant women for safe use of such medication.

 

PDF