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.
, O & E., J (2021). Complementary And Alternative Medicine Use Among Pregnant Women In Udi Local Government Area Of Enugu State, Nigeria. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/complementary-and-alternative-medicine-use-among-pregnant-women-in-udi-local-government-area-of-enugu-state-nigeria
, ONYIAPAT and JANE-LOVENA E. "Complementary And Alternative Medicine Use Among Pregnant Women In Udi Local Government Area Of Enugu State, Nigeria" Afribary. Afribary, 20 May. 2021, https://afribary.com/works/complementary-and-alternative-medicine-use-among-pregnant-women-in-udi-local-government-area-of-enugu-state-nigeria. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
, ONYIAPAT, JANE-LOVENA E. . "Complementary And Alternative Medicine Use Among Pregnant Women In Udi Local Government Area Of Enugu State, Nigeria". Afribary, Afribary, 20 May. 2021. Web. 22 Nov. 2024. < https://afribary.com/works/complementary-and-alternative-medicine-use-among-pregnant-women-in-udi-local-government-area-of-enugu-state-nigeria >.
, ONYIAPAT and E., JANE-LOVENA . "Complementary And Alternative Medicine Use Among Pregnant Women In Udi Local Government Area Of Enugu State, Nigeria" Afribary (2021). Accessed November 22, 2024. https://afribary.com/works/complementary-and-alternative-medicine-use-among-pregnant-women-in-udi-local-government-area-of-enugu-state-nigeria