Ethnopharmacological
relevance The use of
herbal medicines during pregnancy is common worldwide due to physiological
changes that lead to pregnancy related problems.
Objectives The aims of this study were to measure the prevalence and
predictors of herb use among a group of Palestinian pregnant women and the
possible influence of herbal consumption on pregnancy outcomes.
Methods This study was a questionnaire-based cross sectional descriptive
study. It was conducted in the maternity ward of a governmental hospital
between March and May 2012, a random sample of women who gave birth during the
study period were met and asked to answer a face to face questionnaire.
Results Out of 300 women, 120 women (40.0%) used herbs during pregnancy;
most women preferred to use herbs because they thought herbs are safer than
medications (82.5%), women based in their choices mainly on advice from family
or doctors (36.7%, 33.0%, respectively), 65.8% of them told their doctors that
they used herbs, 91.7% considered these therapies beneficial, and 99.2%
reported no side effects. The most commonly used herbs were anise (Pimpinella
anisum) (61.7%), chamomile (Matricaria recutita) (53.3%), sage (Salvia
officinalis) (55%), mixture of herbs (33.3%), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
(29.2%). Most women were using herbs on as needed bases. There were no
statistically significant differences between users and non-users of herbs in
all socio-demographic variables and pregnancy outcomes.
Conclusions This study found that the use of herbs during pregnancy is
very common among Palestinian women. Infrequent use of herbs during pregnancy
seems to be safe and beneficial. To provide the best care to pregnant women who
use herbal products, clinicians and pharmacist are recommended to stay up to
date with herb use and their safety in pregnancy. Not all women tell their
doctors about herbal products use, so the physicians are recommended to ask
pregnant women about this to avoid any possible negative outcomes on the mother
or the fetus.
Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of nutritional interventions using health promotion model through changing in their dietary practices regard the risk of anima. Tool: Data collection tool consisted of two tools were used for data collection; the interviewing questionnaire that consist of 3 parts; the socio-demographic and maternal profile of pregnant women, their dietary habits/ practice, and the general health related to fatigue leve. The second tool was the investigation /laboratory tool that assessed the hemoglobin level of pregnant women. All pregnant women interviewed, and results of blood samples for hemoglobin level obtained from the MOH laboratories. Data were analyzed using SPSS soft ware. Result: The study result showed overall significant change in pregnant women’s eating habits and practices, and a significant relationship between changing eating practices and improvement in their hemoglobin level, also a significant relationship between hemoglobin and fatigue level of pregnant women.
Background and aims:
Maternal intake of medications and supplements has changed over time, and it may be related to adverse reproductive outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent of utilization of supplements, medications, and herbs by pregnant women in Palestine and the expected effects.
Methods:
Pregnant women attending the prenatal clinic at Rafedia Governmental Hospital at Nablus/Palestine were interviewed using a questionnaire containing questions regarding medications intake and disease status. Data obtained from pregnant women were entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 10.
Results: Of the pregnant women attending Rafedia prenatal clinic, 70.2% were village residents, 89.9% of them had no chronic diseases at the time of pregnancy except for anemia which was a common condition. More than half of the pregnant women did take vitamins, iron, and calcium (56.4%, 63.3%, 57.8%, respectively) during pregnancy. Less than fifty percent of the pregnant women took folic acid. Nausea and vomiting were common but most women did not take any medications to treat it. Less than one third of the pregnant women took over the counter (OTC) medications, mainly analgesics, and more than two thirds took prescription only medications (POM), mainly antibiotics. Mean medication intake per pregnant woman was 1.6±0.9. Most of the women who took medications did take only one (44.5%), a lesser percentage took two (30.8%) or more (9.3%) medications. The medications taken belonged to categories B and C, and few belonged to category D. About 45% of pregnant women used herbal medications to treat mainly GIT problems such as upset stomach, diarrhea, and constipation. The majority of pregnant women in this study did not visit a dentist during their pregnancy.
Discussion and Conclusion:
In this study, utilization of OTC, POM, and herbal medications was common among pregnant women. Not all women received supplements, particularly folic acid. The majority of pregnant women were anemic yet they did not take iron as they should. Women and health care providers need to be educated about the importance of supplement intake during pregnancy. Self-medicating or doctors prescriptions of POM, OTC, and herbal medications during pregnancy support the importance of expanding the knowledge about the potential risks and benefits of such treatments.