Complementary And Alternative Medicine Use Among Pregnant Women In Udi Local Government Area Of Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was designed to obtain information on the use of Complementary and Alternative

Medicine (CAM) among pregnant women in Udi LGA of Enugu State. Cross sectional

descriptive survey design was used for the study. A sample of 400 pregnant women was

systematically drawn from the twenty political wards in Udi Local Government Area (LGA)

of Enugu State. Interview administered questionnaire developed by the researcher was the

only tool used for data collection. Major findings revealed that majority (81.2%) of pregnant

women in Udi LGA use CAM during pregnancy out of which 53.8% were previous users

while 87.7% were still using CAM at the time of study. Pregnant women use CAM ranging

from one single type to sixteen different types with the most commonly used CAM being

biological products eg, herbal tea, herbal mixture; and alternative medicine eg engaging the

services of traditional birth attendant. While Most (89.5%) of the CAM used by pregnant

women was consumed orally, approximately half use CAM together with conventional

medicine. The most striking reasons for CAM use were easy access to CAM (44.6%) and to

reduce the weight of the baby (41.5%). Majority of the respondents (79.1%) claimed that the

CAM they used was beneficial and without adverse effect(s). In conclusion, the use of CAM

by women during pregnancy is highly prevalent in Udi LGA. Therefore, maternity care

providers especially midwives need to be conversant with CAM commonly used by women

during pregnancy. This will equip the midwives to counsel their clients appropriately for best care and safety.