Table 2 Characteristics of herbal medicine use among respondents, Gondar, 2016 (N = 364)
Variables | Frequency, n (%) |
|---|---|
Herbal medicine use during current pregnancy | |
No | 187 (51.4) |
Yes | 177 (48.6) |
Source of information about herbal medicinea (n = 177) | |
Families, friends and relatives | 83 (46.9) |
Health care professionals | 4 (2.2) |
Media (internet, television, radio, book) | 26 (14.7) |
Pregnant women who used herbal medicines | 64 (36.1) |
Reasons for herbal medicine usea (n = 177) | |
Family, tradition or culture | 22 (12.4) |
Belief in effectiveness of herbal medicines | 25 (14.2) |
Herbal medicines are cheap and accessible | 97 (54.8) |
Treatment of other medical problems | 13 (7.3) |
Safe in pregnancy | 33 (18.6) |
Reason for not using herbal medicines among non-users (n = 187) | |
Lack of belief in the benefits of herbs | 85 (45.4) |
Afraid the side effect | 58 (31) |
Lack of availability | 8 (4.3) |
Didn’t get sick during gestation | 36 (19.2) |
Discuss with HCPs about herbal medicine use (n = 177) | |
No | 159 (89.8) |
Yes | 18 (10.2) |
Side effects from herbal medicine use (n = 177) | |
No | 155 (87.6) |
Yes | 22 (12.4) |
Satisfaction with herbal medicine use (n = 177) | |
Satisfied | 55 (31.1) |
Average | 74 (41.8) |
Dissatisfied | 48 (27.1) |